At the top of Dabshead Hill near Lauder in the Scottish Borders is the oval shaped Iron Age Dabshead fort.
It is approximately 185m (NW to SE) x 135m, and is defended by two concentric ramparts.
While otherwise featureless, in the fort’s centre there is a standing stone. This was dedicated as a memorial to the marriage of the Countess of Meath in the 19th century. It is now supported by a modern stone cairn and iron bars as the stone is at risk of collapse.
While this was erected far later than the origins of the fort, the stone is marked by a series of cup marks that could potentially shed light on the nature of prehistoric art in the area. Alternatively, they may be geological features that reflect the nature of the Lammermuir Hills in this area. It is possible that the stone was taken from nearby Neolithic site at Borrowston Rig.
The image on the right shows the standing stone (not standing very well these days!). (CC – Richard Webb)
For more information, see the Atlas of Hillforts of Britain and Ireland entry here.
