Castle - ringwork and bailey

The National Monuments Service's description

On the N summit of a N-S ridge which is the highest point for some distance with very good views in all directions. The manor of Buolick was held by Mannaseur Arsic in 1200 and in 1307 by John Assyk. The ringwork consists of a high central mound enclosed by a bank (Wth 6.5m; int. H 1.68m; ext. H 5.5m), with a deep fosse (Wth 4m; D 10m) and a high round-topped outer bank (Wth crest 4.8m; Wth base 16m; ext. H 1.85m) of stoney gravel on the S side. The outer bank is at its highest on the S side where it slopes with the natural fall of the ridge. There is a slight depression at the apex of the bank in the S (Wth 3m). There are sloe bushes encroaching in the SW sector and the fosse is heavily overgrown with sloes and blackthorn bushes in the SW and SE quadrants. There is some cattle erosion on the slopes of the outer bank and on the side of the ringwork. In the SW quadrant the fosse is shallow (Wth 2.75m; D 0.41m) and the bank peters out and is only evident as a broad, low rise (Wth crest 1.5m; Wth base 10m; ext. H 1.26m and ground continues to slope naturally). In the E quadrant there appears to be an outer ledge c. 1m below the crest of the inner bank. The interior is heavily overgrown with sloes, blackthorn, elder etc, though the floor of the interior is relatively free from undergrowth, though there is a lot of moss. The interior is fairly level though there are a number of badger sets with mounds of upcast. In the NE quadrant there is a lower level area (9.7m x 2.5m) and in the W quadrant there appears to be a depression. There is a possible, roughly triangular-shaped, bailey area (dims. 49m N-S; 30m E-W) N of the ringwork (H of mound above bailey 7.3m). It is defined by to the W by a scarp (H 2.35m), fosse (Wth 4.6m D 0.41m) and round-topped bank (Wth crest 2.9m; Wth base 7.5m; ext. H 0.88m) running NE-SW for 100m and by scarp to the N and E. Within this possible bailey the higher ground at the base of the mound slopes gently for 12m and then drops by 2m over the remaining distance of 12m. The outer bank of the possible bailey may relate to a large enclosure, probably a relict field, immediately W of the scarp rather than to the bailey.

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 26 August 2011