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

© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian