Barsalloch Fort
An Iron Age promontory fort, defended by a deep u-shaped ditch.
Barsalloch Fort
An Iron-Age farmstead
Barsalloch Fort has never been archaeologically investigated, but it was most probably a defended farmstead, occupied around 2,000 years ago. Galloway at that time was inhabited by a tribe the Roman invaders called the Novantae. This well-defended settlement may have been the home of a minor chief of the tribe.
The fort clings to the top edge of an ancient sea cliff, with views to the Isle of Man, the Mull of Galloway and the coast of Northern Ireland. On the landward side are two earthen ramparts (about 1m high and 2m wide) on either side of a ditch (10m wide and still over 3m deep). The entrance to the D-shaped enclosure itself was to the north-east.
The enclosure itself probably housed two large round houses. The slightly larger <Rispain Camp>, just south of Whithorn, was excavated in the 1980s. It was found to have three round houses, each measuring 13m in diameter.
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Grid reference – 83 NX 347 412.
Barsalloch Fort has never been archaeologically investigated, but it was most probably a defended farmstead, occupied around 2,000 years ago. Galloway at that time was inhabited by a tribe the Roman invaders called the Novantae. This well-defended settlement may have been the home of a minor chief of the tribe.
The fort clings to the top edge of an ancient sea cliff, with views to the Isle of Man, the Mull of Galloway and the coast of Northern Ireland. On the landward side are two earthen ramparts (about 1m high and 2m wide) on either side of a ditch (10m wide and still over 3m deep). The entrance to the D-shaped enclosure itself was to the north-east.
The enclosure itself probably housed two large round houses. The slightly larger <Rispain Camp>, just south of Whithorn, was excavated in the 1980s. It was found to have three round houses, each measuring 13m in diameter.
Highlight
- The view from the top – south to the Isle of Man and across the North Channel to Northern Ireland.
Facilities
Location
Region – Dumfries and Galloway
On the edge of a promontory above Barsalloch Point, 0.75m W of Monreith on the A747.Grid reference – 83 NX 347 412.
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