38 Transactions. 



II. Wood-Caslk, Lochmaben. By Mr James Lennox, F.S.A. 

 Wood-Castle, Woody-Castle, or Dinwoody Castle, is situate 

 1500 yards north-west of Lochmaben Town Hall, on the farm of 

 Lochbank, on the estate of Elshieshields. It is a circular camp of 

 British origin, and surrounded by a fosse and ditch which are well 

 preserved, and also in part by remains of a second fosse, which, 

 visible on the western and northern aspects, has disappeared on 

 the southern and eastern. The extent of the fortification I have 

 been at some trouble to ascertain by means of accurate measure- 

 ments. There is one original entrance through the ramparts. 

 Taking a straight line from this gateway (in line with the inner 

 base of the rampart) to the most remote point within the lines 

 the distance traversed is 207 feet. A. transverse line, cutting this 

 in its centre at right angles, measures 193 feet. The circumference 

 of the fort, measured round the top of the rampart, is 704 feet. 

 Fi"om the outer base of this rampart to the opposite outer base 

 measures 280 feet. This rampart reaches the extreme elevation 

 of 15 feet above the fosse on the north side, and declines to its 

 least height towards the western aspect, where it is only eight feet 

 high (at one point). This depression in the lines is directly 

 opposite the gateway and at (what now appears to be) the weakest 

 point in the defence. As the southern aspect is reached the ram- 

 part returns to about the same elevation as on the northern, and 

 so it continues along che eastern face to the gateway. There is 

 but one gateway, and it is situate on the east by north part of the 

 fort : in width it is about 15 feet. At first sight a second gateway 

 seems to be present directly opposite the entrance. But on more 

 than a casual inspection it is found that the break in the ramparts 

 on the east position is intentional, and has the pathway paved 

 with boulders : whereas that on the west side is the result of 

 demolition. What is left has the slope of the adjoining rampart, 

 and there is no trace of a formed roadway. Besides, on the 

 cast the ramparts rise on either side of the entrance with an 

 almost added strength, whilst those on the west dip gradually 

 down to it. The interior of this British strength varies from two 

 to four feet below the level of the rampart : the rampart rising 

 highest above the camp level on the north side and lowest on the 

 west. The fosse or ditch, which is still complete, runs in an 

 unbroken manner from the north side of the gateway round the 

 northern aspect of the fort to the Avest, where although traceable 

 it becomes less distinct. In this clearly marked part it measures 



