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Wallace's House

Fort (Period Unassigned)

Site Name Wallace's House

Classification Fort (Period Unassigned)

Alternative Name(s) Burrance Bridge

Canmore ID 66416

Site Number NY09SW 2

NGR NY 0344 9084

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/66416

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
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Administrative Areas

  • Council Dumfries And Galloway
  • Parish Kirkmichael (Nithsdale)
  • Former Region Dumfries And Galloway
  • Former District Nithsdale
  • Former County Dumfries-shire

Archaeology Notes

NY09SW 2 0344 9084.

(NY 0341 9085) Wallace's House (NAT).

Earthwork (NR).

A massive trenched rampart, 150ft long, forms the W side of a promontory fort bisectionally 180ft. William Wallace, planning the capture of Lochmaben Castle in 1297, is said to have kept 16 men here. Traditionally Wallace's Tower (H Dobie, NSA, 1841) or Wallace's House

RCAHMS 1920

A promontory fort, measuring internally c. 58.0m N-S by c. 56.0m, defended on the W by a massive earth-and-stone rampart, and a natural gully. Elsewhere steep river cliffs provide adequate protection, and no artificial defences exist. The entrance, at the N of the rampart, is approached by a constructed pathway. The interior has been forestry-ploughed, but not planted. On the W, immediately behind the rampart, is a rectangular house foundation measuring internally 7.5m N-S by 4.5m within an earth and stone bank up to 1.5m wide and 0.4m high with entrance on the E side.

The name 'Wallace's House' was confirmed.

Published survey (25") revised: sketch plan & section

Visited by OS (D W R) 11 October 1972

NY 0344 9084. Wallace's House (name confirmed) (information from Head Forester, Forest of Ae, Ae.) is as described in the previous field report.

Surveyed at 1:10 000.

Visited by OS (T R G) 30 August 1977.

Activities

Measured Survey (19 June 2013 - 21 June 2013)

A detailed archaeological measured survey was undertaken at the site in late June 2013. These works were undertaken on behalf of Forestry Commission Scotland by Rubicon Heritage Services Ltd. The site, situated on the edge of the Forest of Ae, is currently managed by Forestry Commission Scotland. The purpose of the survey was to provide an enhanced baseline record of the upstanding remains at the site, and to inform future conversation and management of the monument. Results from this assessment recorded the nature and extent of earthworks as well as the wider landscape context of the upstanding archaeological remains.

Information from Oasis (rubiconh1-170006) 2 June 2014

Note (28 May 2014 - 23 May 2016)

This fort is situated on a steep-sided promontory at the confluence of two burns in the headwaters of the Garrel Water and is now in a clearing in forestry. Roughly triangular on plan, the interior measures about 55m from E to W by a maximum of 45m transversely immediately to the rear of a massive earthen rampart which has been drawn in an arc across the neck of the promontory to block access from the W. The crest of the rampart stands some 2.5m above the interior and 4.5m above a deep external gully that though largely natural was doubtless modified, if only to provide material for the construction of the rampart. The entrance lies at the northern margin of the promontory and is approached by a built pathway which climbs obliquely up the eastern scarp of the gully. Immediately to the rear of the rampart there are the remains of a rectangular building measuring 7.5m from N to S by 4.5m within a wall reduced to a stony bank 1.5m in thickness by 0.4m in height.

Information from An Atlas of Hillforts of Great Britain and Ireland – 23 May 2016. Atlas of Hillforts SC0886

Contour Survey (6 February 2020 - 18 February 2020)

Aerial survey of the site was carried out using a camera mounted on a SUA (drone) in order to capture images for processing into a detailed contour plan of the site at 20cm interval, allowing for 3D modelling and survey interpretation. In addition, images were taken of the site from a variety of angles, placing it into the landscape.

Information from OASIS ID: connolly1-388625 (H Kdolska) 2020

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