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Latitude: 55.6534 / 55°39'12"N
Longitude: -2.4959 / 2°29'45"W
OS Eastings: 368893
OS Northings: 640099
OS Grid: NT688400
Mapcode National: GBR C302.F7
Mapcode Global: WH8XR.M5PB
Entry Name: Hareheugh Craigs, fort and settlement
Scheduled Date: 22 July 1987
Last Amended: 8 November 2001
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Source ID: SM4783
Schedule Class: Cultural
Category: Prehistoric domestic and defensive: fort (includes hill and promontory fort); Secular: settlement, i
Location: Hume
County: Scottish Borders
Electoral Ward: Mid Berwickshire
Traditional County: Berwickshire
The monument comprises the remains of a later prehistoric hillfort, and a post-medieval settlement and field system with possible medieval origins. The monument was originally scheduled in 1987 and again in 1992. Recent excavation and survey work has shown that part of the area designated in the 1992 rescheduling does not contain archaeological remains of national importance. The current rescheduling has been drafted to exclude this area.
The monument occupies a prominent rocky outcrop with three distinct ridges, where it commands extensive views over the surrounding rolling countryside. The fort sits on the highest point of the outcrop, taking advantage of the natural defences of the "crag and tail" formation of the site.
The sides of the crag are exceptionally steep and the only easy approach to the fort is from the E along the "tail" of the geological formation. Building stances and small platforms are cut into the spine of rock running along the centre of the crag, but a rampart recorded by earlier surveyors was not visible at the time of this rescheduling.
The farmstead lies on flatter land to the NE of the fort. It comprises the remains of a rectilinear house 12m long by 5m wide, which was subdivided into two rooms. The house occupies a small natural knoll and is surrounded by a series of other possible building stances, small platforms and yards and an extensive field and enclosure system delineated by earth and stone banks.
The area to be scheduled is irregular in shape, measuring a maximum of 325m NE-SW by 270m NW-SE, as shown in red on the attached map.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our understanding of settlement and economy in both the later prehistoric and early modern periods. The presence of other prehistoric settlements in the immediate vicinity enhances the interest of the fort, while the farming settlement is a comparatively rare survival of a type of site that must once have been common in the area.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Bibliography
RCAHMS records the monument as NT 64 SE 5 and 13.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
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