Hillforts

Ostensibly what the word itself implies: ‘a fort on a hill’ – though in more recent years the archaeological notion of them as purely defensive fortresses has subsided.  Hillforts are generally huge monuments in the landscape, almost always at the top, or near the top, of what seem to have been deemed pretty impregnable places.  Entire settlements existed within some hillforts, most of which came into existence in the Iron Age.  Common sense tells that these hilltop sites afforded protection against marauding bears, boars and wolves, as much as against rival tribes!

HILLFORTS:  Bibliography & References

  1. An Dun, Gairloch, Ross & Cromarty
  2. Ardanstur, Melfort, Argyll
  3. Balvicar, Seil, Argyll
  4. The Bastard, Feochaig, Campbeltown, Argyll
  5. Bradley, Frodsham, Cheshire
  6. Bryn Alyn, Wrexham, Denbighshire
  7. Buckton Castle, Mossley, Lancashire
  8. Caesar’s Camp, Bracknell, Berkshire
  9. Castercliff, Nelson, Lancashire
  10. Castleberg, Nesfield, North Yorkshire
  11. Castle Coeffein, Clachan, Lismore, Argyll
  12. Castle Ditch, Eddisbury, Delamere, Cheshire
  13. Castle Head Hill, Lindale, Cumbria
  14. Castle Hill, Almondbury, West Yorkshire
  15. Castle Hill, Culross, Fife
  16. Castle Hill, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire
  17. Castle Hill, Wentbridge, South Yorkshire
  18. Cnocan Dubh, Ballachulish, Argyll
  19. Creag a’ Chapuill, Ford, Kilmartin, Argyll
  20. Devil’s Dyke, Poynings, Sussex
  21. Dinedor Camp, Herefordshire
  22. Dumyat, Blairlogie, Stirling, Stirlingshire
  23. Dun Bhuirg, Iona, Argyll
  24. Dun Chathach, Connel, Argyll
  25. Dun Chibhich, Gigha, Argyll
  26. Dun Chonallaich, Ford, Argyll
  27. Dun Dubh, Ford, Argyll
  28. Dun Gallain, Colonsay, Argyll
  29. Dun I, Iona, Argyll
  30. Dun Mac Samhainn, Kilmartin, Argyll
  31. Dun Mac Sniachan, Benderloch, Argyll
  32. Dun na Nighinn, Ford, Argyll
  33. Dun Toiseach, Ford, Argyll
  34. Eddisbury Hill, Delamere, Cheshire 
  35. Garrywhin Fort, Ulbster, Caithness
  36. Grianan of Aileach, Carrowreagh, Donegal
  37. Helsby Hill, Helsby, Cheshire
  38. Ivinghoe Beacon, Ivinghoe, Buckinghamshire
  39. Kelsborrow Castle, Kelsall, Cheshire
  40. Knockfarrel, Strathpeffer, Inverness-shire
  41. Knock Hill, Dunblane, Stirlingshire
  42. Lawhead Fort, Penicuik, Midlothian
  43. Longfaugh, Crichton, Midlothian
  44. Maiden Castle, Bickerton, Cheshire
  45. Maiden Castle, Dorchester, Dorset
  46. Maiden Castle, Waterfoot, Cumbria
  47. Martinsell Hill, Oare, Pewsey, Wiltshire
  48. Mount Pleasant, Dorchester, Dorset
  49. Oakmere, Delamere, Cheshire
  50. Portfield Camp, Whalley, Lancashire
  51. Rathgall Hillfort, County Wicklow
  52. Ring Hill, Littlebury, Essex
  53. Rough Haw, Flasby, North Yorkshire
  54. Skelmore Heads, Great Urswick, Cumbria
  55. South Kirkby, South Yorkshire
  56. Tadmarton Heath, Wigginton Heath, Oxfordshire
  57. Wallstale, Cambusbarron, Stirling, Stirlingshire
  58. Warton Crag, Warton, Lancashire
  59. Woodhouse Hill, Helsby, Cheshire

© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian