Scheduled Monument

Castlethorn, fort and standing stones 500m ESE of Torphichen MainsSM11242

Status: Designated

Documents

Where documents include maps, the use of this data is subject to terms and conditions (https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/termsandconditions).

The legal document available for download below constitutes the formal designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The additional details provided on this page are provided for information purposes only and do not form part of the designation. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within this additional information.

Summary

Date Added
22/02/2005
Type
Prehistoric domestic and defensive: fort (includes hill fort and promontory fort), Prehistoric ritual and funerary: standing stone
Local Authority
West Lothian
Parish
Torphichen
NGR
NS 97443 72448
Coordinates
297443, 672448

Description

The monument comprises a prehistoric hillfort which is situated on the top of a knoll known as Castlethorn.

The monument is roughly oval and measures approximately 70m x 50m overall and is visible on the ground and on aerial photographs. The highest part of the knoll is surrounded by a low bank up to 2m across; to the N a second bank takes in a lower terrace. The entrance lies to the W. The trackway leading from the entrance is marked by two possible standing stones. The upper of the two stones currently lies on its side.

The area to be scheduled measures a maximum of 108m W-E by 88m N-S, to include the fort, standing stones and an area around it in which remains associated with its construction and use are likely to survive, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

This monument is of national importance as an example of a prehistoric enclosed settlement, which has the potential to increase considerably our understanding of prehistoric domestic life in this area.

References

Bibliography

The monument is recorded by RCAHMS as NS97SE38 and NS97SE53.

About Scheduled Monuments

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Scheduling is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for monuments and archaeological sites of national importance as set out in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

We schedule sites and monuments that are found to be of national importance using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Scheduled monument records provide an indication of the national importance of the scheduled monument which has been identified by the description and map. The description and map (see ‘legal documents’ above) showing the scheduled area is the designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The statement of national importance and additional information provided are supplementary and provided for general information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within the statement of national importance or additional information. These records are not definitive historical or archaeological accounts or a complete description of the monument(s).

The format of scheduled monument records has changed over time. Earlier records will usually be brief. Some information will not have been recorded and the map will not be to current standards. Even if what is described and what is mapped has changed, the monument is still scheduled.

Scheduled monument consent is required to carry out certain work, including repairs, to scheduled monuments. Applications for scheduled monument consent are made to us. We are happy to discuss your proposals with you before you apply and we do not charge for advice or consent. More information about consent and how to apply for it can be found on our website at www.historicenvironment.scot.

Find out more about scheduling and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.

Images

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Printed: 04/06/2026 01:40