THE HEADS OF BOWMONT WATER 195 



opposition of its defenders. On the hill top beyond the fort, 

 there is a comparatively level space, which would doubtless be 

 used for the protection and accommodation of cattle, or extra 

 population in times of danger. Inside the wall the area is 250 

 feet by 230 feet. It has only one wall, but that is very strong, 

 rising at present about 5 feet above the interior, and having a 

 perpendicular height of 12 to 14 feet from the bottom of the 

 ditch. Outside of that there is a counterscarp rising 3 or 4 

 feet, and then begins the natural slope of the hill. The slope is 

 very steep all round the hill-top area described, and if sufficiently 

 manned and victualled, the fort would, before the introduction 

 of artillery, be practically impregnable. 



The statement has often been made that these hill forts were 

 not defensible through the absence of water. We have not, I 

 think, been considerate euough of the ability — mental and other- 

 wise — of our predecessors. Our earliest historians seem to have 

 found some of these old stations supplied with wells of a very 

 great depth, as at Old Sarum and at Bamborough. But here at 

 Blackbrough is an example of another device to supply the 

 inhabitants. In the ditch, at the side furthest from the main 

 entrance, there are at least four reservoirs or tanks distinctly 

 remaining. The bottoms have been puddled or otherwise ren- 

 dered watertight. I saw them at the end of a season of drought, 

 and then the bottoms were full of rushes, and green and moist. 

 So long as the fort was held in sufficient force to be able to 

 defend its own entrance, it could also command the slopes under 

 its walls ; and its defenders, by forming a chain, could pass the 

 water up from the nearest stream, or from a spring in the sides 

 of the hill itself. Traditionally it is stated tliat by this method 

 the ancient inhabitants passed up the stones for building cairns 

 or forts ; and the sane simple and effective arrangement would 

 replenish their water stores. There are similar water reservoirs 

 at other dry situations, I saw them at Henderland, and at 

 Whiteside in Peeblesshire, and some of the Lauderdale forts 

 also have them. There are no foundations of hut circles re- 

 maining at Blackbrough. 



No. 26. Cluster of enclosures of homestead type, at the under 

 corner of the square plantation to the west of Calroust Burn, and 

 under Greenknowe Hill. It measures 240 feet by 135, has 

 its floor on two levels, and has remains of two hut circles. 



