Earthworks (Timpendean)

The earthworks consist of a conspicuous sub rectangular system of ramparts and ditches with a central enclosure, a hollow way and a system of turf dykes following a generally rectilinear layout.

The system of ramparts and ditches would originally have measured some 130 m from SE to NW by between 100 and 130 m from NE to SW, enclosing an area 80 m from SE to NW by between 55 and 65 m from NE to SW, i.e., some 0.78 ha.

The defensive earthworks originally consisted of double ramparts with an intervening ditch on three sides of the structure but with three ramparts and two intervening ditches on the SW side. Since the uphill, SE side would have been at least as vulnerable as the SW side, it is suggested that three ramparts were constructed to impress persons approaching along the Parkhead shelf rather than for any serious military reason. The innermost of these three ramparts has a short return to the NW side; whether this is all that was constructed, or whether it is what is left of a now levelled third NW rampart, is not clear; this side, facing as it does downhill, would be most easily defended so that an extra line of defence would be of dubious advantage. Much of the inner NE rampart and all of the outer one has been levelled, presumably in association with the construction and occupancy of the tower. Similarly, the outer rampart to the SE has been obscured by the construction of the hollow way.

The structure is one of several in the Borders which are difficult to assign to a precise period. Dates ranging from the early Middle Ages or, simply, the mediaeval period (RCAHMS, 1956), the 13th century (Salter, 1994) and pre-1545 (Cruft et al., 2006) have been mooted.

What may be dismissed is the suggestion (douglashistory.co, op. cit.) that the structure could have been Roman, with its stonework subsequently utilised in the construction of the tower, certainly no reused Roman masonry is anywhere evident on the site. It may be confidently stated that the rampart and ditch system is the earliest structure at Timpendean but until archaeological investigation is undertaken a precise date cannot be assigned, although a suggestion (Cruft et al., op. cit.) that the earthwork could have incorporated the house destroyed in 1545 is not implausible. Just discernible on the ground and hinted at by RCAHMS aerial photographs there is a rectangular feature, the only complete edge of which measures about 40 m, in the uphill portion of the enclosure and in a similar orientation to the main system of ramparts and ditches; this feature could conceivably date from the pre-1545 phase.

Some thoughts on this site from Alan Murray

( "An Aerial Observation" )

I am convinced the earthworks are of at least 3 phases of occupation due to their differing styles

THE EARLIEST PERIOD – Potentially Pre or Post Roman (but native)

The site in general taking it from its earliest form is not a great position for a Prehistoric native style Fort   even based on the possible large defences still visible on the south up slope. It does however make a good spot for a fortified settlement with good visibility from the north east anticlockwise to the south west.  While most fortified Settlements tend to be single ring and ditch there are other ones that have more. 

The close proximity of proper defensible Forts at Penial Heugh and Crag Wood are near enough to escape to in times of threat.  There are also Forts at Lanton hill Craigs. The addition of two early fortified settlements on the ridge line would enhance that visibility to the opposite side south west etc.  To me they all look contemporary. The south ditch. being broad and high and of twin bank design with ditches I am tempted to say this is the oldest, earliest form of the site, Utilising the ravine running downhill on the east and north gives a second defensive line. If there were other matching defences, I think they have long been ploughed out or reshaped as the grounds very suitable for arable farming.

NEXT. Dark Age?

The defences on the west, north west and the single rampart on the south all look similar especially when seen on lidar Making a roughly D shaped enclosure with the straight line of the D on the south side, its east obviously removed due to the later Tower.  I would suggest the larger south earthworks were utilised as the second outer ditch doesn’t cut into it, though the path does cut through this side but not exactly at the junction of the two but slightly north of it. I couldn’t say if this is an original cut or later addition for the Tower.   From others I’ve seen I’m in agreement with the likes of Canmore in that this style is more likely dark Age so 5th-10th century possibly.

The Tower Period

The last period to me would have covered the Tower and associated buildings. Again, looking at the earthworks they are all linear with sharp angles and looks to overlay the previous earthworks especially on the north east side while still making use of the gulley as a defensive feature.  The large tree to the Towers south seems to be inside its boundary. The north and west sides are inside the older earthwork but these stretch only half way across on the west side, there’s what looks like a rectangular platform on LIDAR in the mid period enclosures west corner. An additional building maybe? It also looks like this area has been sectioned into 3 as well? (Gardens, terrace? Lines going NE to SW) as well as more defined lines running downhill SE to NW. There is also a slightly oval feature outside the Towers perimeter on the north corner next to the ridge. I believe the gulley to the right of the Tower was a good place for penning or hiding cattle. The other lines surrounding the site on all sides look all modern inside the unploughed area probably fence or old dyke lines.