Scheduled Monument

Mitchelhill Rings, fortSM3161

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
27/06/1972
Last Date Amended
04/03/2002
Type
Prehistoric domestic and defensive: fort (includes hill fort and promontory fort)
Local Authority
Scottish Borders
Parish
Broughton, Glenholm And Kilbucho
NGR
NT 06285 34174
Coordinates
306285, 634174

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a fort (a defended settlement) dating from the later prehistoric period. The monument was originally scheduled in 1972, but the area covered by the designation did not relate accurately to the remains on the ground. The current rescheduling rectifies this.

The fort is situated on the small rocky spur at the E end of White Hill, at a height of about 340m OD. It is roughly circular on plan and measures up to 40m in diameter internally. It comprises the remains of four ramparts with associated external ditches. The inner rampart is continuous and is reduced to a low stony bank about 3m in thickness. The second rampart is continuous except for a break on the NE arc; the third rampart is visible only on the S arc; and the outer rampart is largely continuous, broken only on the SW and on the E. The entrance to the fort is on the SE.

The area to be scheduled comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is circular on plan and measures a maximum of 110m in diameter, as shown in red on the attached map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of later prehistoric settlement, economy and social organisation. Its importance is further enhanced by its proximity to other settlement sites of similar date but different form.

References

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the site as NT03SE 14.

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: 05/11/2026 06:08