194 THE HEADS OF BOWMONT WATER 



the line of the ancient Olennel Street. At two points where 

 the ridge is narrow, similar lines are drawn across. Between 

 Rochester in Redesdale and Holystone in Coquetdale, there 

 runs an ancient track, usually held to be Roman, and so marked 

 on the Ordnance Maps, but which seems to the writer to have 

 the characteristics of a native British work rather than those 

 of the Romans. Where this track comes down a ridge between 

 two burns, about three-quarters of a mile from Holystone, there 

 are a mound and ditch about 495 paces in length drawn across 

 between the two burns, so as to command the passage along the 

 ridge. Here on Cocklaw and at Calroust ridge the ends are 

 carried sufficiently far down the steep slope to protect the flanks. 

 Cases in other districts could also be given, but these are 

 sufficient to show that such works were familiar to the 

 builders of these hill forts. 



No. 24. Large enclosing mound ; it rises up from Bowmont 

 Water near Cocklawfoot, almost on the line of the modern 

 bridle road, by which it is cut away in part, it then passes up 

 by the edge of the Fir wood, and at some distance above that, 

 and rather over a third of a mile from the river, it turns 

 with a round corner, and runs nearly at right angles to its 

 former course a distance of over a quarter of a mile to Kingseat 

 burn. This mound measures as now flattened about 18 feet 

 across, and has a height of 4 feet. No ditch appears on either 

 side, so that the material forming it has been brought to form 

 it ; possibly it was built of sods. The original height must 

 have been very considerable. The presence of such important 

 enclosures as this and that on Park Law, reminds us that at 

 one period it was needful to protect the flocks against wild 

 animals. 



No. 25. Blackbrough Fort, in point of strength of position, 

 is the most imposing work in the group. It overlooks the 

 valleys of Heatherhope and Capehope, and has a commanding 

 outlook over Teviotdale and all the central Scottish Border 

 district. Blackbrough Hill, on which the fort is, stands 

 forward from the main ridge dividing Kale valley from that of 

 Bowmont, and is connected with it by a narrow neck or ridge, 

 which dips saddle-wise, so that on it there is a sharp rise to 

 the gate of the fort, which is so placed that no enemy 

 could gain access to the hill top without having to face the 



