Callaly Old Hag

Description

Earthwork of a probable Iron Age stock enclosure, at one time considered to be a medieval castle site. (Jackson 1992).

"...there are traces of another camp in a field 650 yds north of the mansion (Callaly Castle) called Old Hag. It was on the north side the brook, was small, its interior not more, possibly, than about 30 yds, and circular in shape; it is however nearly destroyed. There was a larger part distinctly visible projecting towards the West, and leading to a supposition that it was a temporary place of strength before the building of the ancient part of the present mansion." (MacLauchlan 1864).
The earthwork is situated in near-level pastureland, a little above the 300 ft contour, the land to the E falling away towards a small stream. Having higher ground immediately to the W. this is not a favourable defensive position.
The work consists of a platform, roughly oval in shape with slight traces of an inner bank on the E. side. Gaps in the scarped slopes to the E. and W. are possible entrances. To the S., at a distance of about 25m, and concentrically placed is an outer work consisting of a fragment of ditch and a counter-scarp bank. The distance between the two features suggests that the space was used for stock enclosing rather than for defence. The outer bank has an entrance to the S., and opposite it, in the inner bank, the slope is slightly lowered, possibly indicating another entrance to the interior. The inner earthwork is badly mutilated to the N by old tree planting, and its interior surface is much disturbed. No traces of interior occupation are recognisable. There is no evidence to indicate the purpose of the earthwork or its date (F1 DAD 03-APR-57).
The work is much reduced, but its construction and general appearance are in the local IA tradition. Certainly it is not a medieval strong point as implied by Maclauchan (F2 DS 19-FEB-70). (PastScape).

The monument includes an enclosure of Iron Age date, situated on a near level site adjacent to the Callaly Burn; the ground falls away to the burn on the south side. The enclosure has an oval central platform measuring 60m by 40m surrounded by scarped banks 1.2m high and 5m wide. A gap in the east is an original entrance 10m wide. There are also slight traces of an inner bank on the east. Concentric to the platform and at a distance of 25m to the south, there is an outer work. This is formed by a ditch 10m wide and 2m deep. In front of the ditch there is a counter-scarp bank 5m wide and 0.1m high, which merges with the natural slopes of the ground. Outside of the ditch there is an external bank, 5m wide and 0.5m high. (Scheduling Report)