Monument record MHG8465 - Possible Dun, Wester Rarichie

NH87SW 8 8406 7366.
250m W of fort (NH87SW 6) is a hillock, on top of which are slight remains of a bank; inner side forms an eroded lip of turf falling steeply into a depression which is up to 0.5m deep. The whole is about 12m NW-SE by 11m transversely. The depression is broken only at SE, from which issues a track to S base of hillock. At NW part of the bank is a flat portion some 6ft by 9ft; otherwise the artificial hollow takes up whole of top. Apart from a trace near the eroded position on NE face, there appears to be no other artificial bank or ditch - and this too, may be natural.
Info from J Howdle to OS, 29 August 1961;
Visible on RAF Aps CPE/Scot/UK/223: 4149-50: 27 June 1947.

This structure crowns top of a prominent knoll which has been levelled to accommodate it. It consists of a circular turf-covered rubble wall spread to an average of 5m and measures overall 20m diameter. There is a mutilated entrance gap in E. There is no doubt that it has been a dwelling, similar to that overlying fort to SE (NH87SW 6), and is probably best classififed as a homestead.
Surveyed at 1:2500. Visited by OS (A A) 18 September 1964.

(NH 8406 7366) Homestead (NR) OS 1:10,000 map, (1981)

A circular structure in a good defensive position on summit of a knoll, as described by previous OS field surveyor. It is very similar to dun some 250m to E (NH87SW 6) in respect of its position, size and condition, and for same reason is itself more likely to be a dun than a hut circle, though it is severely reduced. A curving line of base course of an outer wall face, 2.2m long, is exposed in side of knoll c1m below summit level in SW periphery of structure. This may indicate a part of structure, in which case wall at this point is spread to 6m - 8m or it may be remains of an outer defence. There is no other evidence for a possible outer work. Listed as a dun (RCAHMS 1979). RCAHMS 1979; Visited by OS (N K B) 10 March 1981.

This site can be seen in the background of an oblique aerial photograph by Jim Bone. <1>