Site type FORT
Canmore ID 57479
Site Number NT66NW 1
NGR NT 6135 6860
Council EAST LOTHIAN
Parish GARVALD AND BARA
Former Region LOTHIAN
Former District EAST LOTHIAN
Former County EAST LOTHIAN

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Archaeological Notes

NT66NW 1 6135 6860

(NT 6135 6860) White Castle (NAT)
Hill Fort (NR)
OS 6" map (1957)

White Castle, an Early Iron Age fort, stands on a promontory (1,000ft OD) defended on three sides by steep slopes. It is oval on plan, measuring internally 230ft by 180ft, and is surrounded by triple ramparts which may have been topped by stone walls. At least three possible hut circles, visible at the time of the RCAHMS visit in 1913 were not seen during the marginal lands survey (RCAHMS MSS).
RCAHMS 1924, visited 1913; R W Feachem 1963

This fort is generally as described by the RCAHMS, although on the NE face there are clearly only two scarps, the third being the natural slope. However, around the N and NE, between the inner scarp and the RCAHMS second scarp, there is a further scarp, an added line of defence, no doubt upon which was placed a wall; at this point there is a clear break in the defences, but whether or not this is original cannot be ascertained. Within the interior and between two of the ramparts there are several scoops, representing the site of timber huts.
Resurveyed at 1:2500.
Visited by OS (RD) 26 August 1968

A watching brief was maintained during pipe-laying operations outside the fort on its SW and W sides. With the exception of an enigmatic feature (connected with hill drainage ?) seen in the pipeline section W of the fort, nothing of archaeological significance was noted.
I Ralston 1973

Notes and Activities

August 2010

EXCAVATION

Notes NT 6135 6860 The first season of a three season research excavation was carried out by volunteers and professionals during August 2010. The work consisted of topographic, geophysical, vegetation and erosion surveys and the excavation of a single staggered trench (28.5 x 1m) across the defensive sequence to the S of the SE entrance. Eleven 1m2 test pits were also excavated around the exterior of the fort.
Geophysical results showed no internal structures; however, the topographic survey increased the number of
hut platforms to 17. The erosion survey recorded the extent of damage to the monument from rabbits (moderate) and from encroaching bracken which is damaging sub-surface archaeology.
The initial results of the fieldwork indicated that the inner rampart was constructed of soil and rubble between stone kerbs. It was 3.4m wide by 0.32m high and was associated with a 2.3m wide by 1.4m deep ditch. The middle and outer ramparts were constructed of soil and stone with a stone kerb on the downslope side. The middle rampart was 4.4m wide by 0.7m high and was of two phases. The outer rampart was 3.6m wide by 0.25m high. The outer bank overlay a cobbled surface which lay upon two possible cists. The test pits revealed no significant finds.
Archive: RCAHMS (intended)
Funder: Rampart Scotland
Murray Cook and David Connolly – Rampart Scotland

Further details

Books and References

Cook and Connolly, Murray and D (2010a) 'White Castle Season 1, East Lothian (Garvald and Bara parish), survey and excavation', Discovery Excav Scot, New, vol.11 Cathedral Communications Limited, Wiltshire, England.
Page(s): 59-60

Feachem, R W (1963b) A guide to prehistoric Scotland, London
Page(s): 123 Held at RCAHMS E.2.FEA

RCAHMS (1924) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Scotland. Eighth report with inventory of monuments and constructions in the county of East Lothian, Edinburgh
Page(s): 35, No.52 figs 71, 72 Held at RCAHMS A.1.1.INV(8)

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