Description

The monument comprises an impressive prehistoric fort, traditionally known as 'Maiden Castle', which lies on the summit of an oval knoll at about 300m OD, by Bracks Plantation in the Lomond Hills. The monument was first scheduled in 1936, but an inadequate area was included to protect all of the archaeological remains: the present re-scheduling rectifies this.

The fort is defined by a single earthen rampart and inner ditch, which together enclose an elongated oval area, some 140m ESE-WNW by 35m NNE-SSW, on the relatively flat summit of the steep-sided knoll. The ground surrounding the knoll is boggy and about 20m lower than the summit plateau. Within the fort on the summit, a number of platforms (possible house or hut sites) are discernible.

The enclosing ditch, on average 4m wide, is well preserved around the long N and S sides of the fort; while slight terracing around the SW and NE sides of the knoll may represent the line of an incomplete ditch. A well-defined approach, some 4m wide, leads through the entrance at the W end of the fort. At the E end, where access is relatively easy, a 5m-wide causeway affords access to the interior, while a second smaller causeway crosses the ditch about 20m further to the SE. At the eastern end of the fort, both the rampart and ditch are less pronounced.

The area to be scheduled is an irregular oval shape in plan, with maximum dimensions of 307m E-W by 238m N-S. It includes the whole knoll and an area beyond in which evidence for the construction and use of the fort may be expected to survive, as marked in red on the accompanying map. The area is bounded to the N and S by small unnamed burns. The ruined drystone dyke which passes to the W of the knoll is excluded from the scheduling to allow for its repair.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography
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Source: Historic Environment Scotland