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, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire
  16. Castle Hill, Wentbridge, South Yorkshire
  17. Cnocan Dubh, Ballachulish, Argyll
  18. Creag a’ Chapuill, Ford, Kilmartin, Argyll
  19. Devil’s Dyke, Poynings, Sussex
  20. Dinedor Camp, Herefordshire
  21. Dumyat, Blairlogie, Stirling, Stirlingshire
  22. Dun Bhuirg, Iona, Argyll
  23. Dun Chathach, Connel, Argyll
  24. Dun Chibhich, Gigha, Argyll
  25. Dun Chonallaich, Ford, Argyll
  26. Dun Dubh, Ford, Argyll
  27. Dun Gallain, Colonsay, Argyll
  28. Dun I, Iona, Argyll
  29. Dun Mac Samhainn, Kilmartin, Argyll
  30. Dun Mac Sniachan, Benderloch, Argyll
  31. Dun na Nighinn, Ford, Argyll
  32. Dun Toiseach, Ford, Argyll
  33. Eddisbury Hill, Delamere, Cheshire 
  34. Garrywhin Fort, Ulbster, Caithness
  35. Grianan of Aileach, Carrowreagh, Donegal
  36. Helsby Hill, Helsby, Cheshire
  37. Ivinghoe Beacon, Ivinghoe, Buckinghamshire
  38. Kelsborrow Castle, Kelsall, Cheshire
  39. Knockfarrel, Strathpeffer, Inverness-shire
  40. Knock Hill, Dunblane, Stirlingshire
  41. Lawhead Fort, Penicuik, Midlothian
  42. Longfaugh, Crichton, Midlothian
  43. Maiden Castle, Bickerton, Cheshire
  44. Maiden Castle, Dorchester, Dorset
  45. Maiden Castle, Waterfoot, Cumbria
  46. Martinsell Hill, Oare, Pewsey, Wiltshire
  47. Mount Pleasant, Dorchester, Dorset
  48. Oakmere, Delamere, Cheshire
  49. Portfield Camp, Whalley, Lancashire
  50. Rathgall Hillfort, County Wicklow
  51. Ring Hill, Littlebury, Essex
  52. Rough Haw, Flasby, North Yorkshire
  53. Skelmore Heads, Great Urswick, Cumbria
  54. South Kirkby, South Yorkshire
  55. Tadmarton Heath, Wigginton Heath, Oxfordshire
  56. Wallstale, Cambusbarron, Stirling, Stirlingshire
  57. Warton Crag, Warton, Lancashire
  58. Woodhouse Hill, Helsby, Cheshire

© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian