Scheduled MonumentsScotlandDow Hill,fort
Iron Age · Fort

Dow Hill,fort

Scotland
HES SM2525
Period
Iron Age
Site type
Fort
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Dow Hill Fort is a multivallate Iron Age hillfort located in Ayrshire, Scotland. The fort is defined by multiple defensive ramparts and ditches that encircle the summit, a characteristic design of Iron Age defensive settlements in western Scotland. Its precise dating within the Iron Age period remains subject to archaeological interpretation, though such fortifications typically served as centres of local authority and refuge during the later prehistoric period. The site demonstrates the strategic importance placed on elevated positions for settlement and defence in Iron Age Ayrshire.

Dow Hill,fort is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM2525. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Dow Hill,fort?

Dow Hill Fort is a multivallate Iron Age hillfort located in Ayrshire, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM2525.

What period does Dow Hill,fort date from?

Dow Hill,fort dates from the iron age period, and is classified as a fort. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Dow Hill,fort?

Dow Hill,fort is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM2525.

What other scheduled monuments are near Dow Hill,fort?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Shalloch Hill,palisaded enclosure 350m S of Shallochpark (0.8 km), Mote Hill,barrow 300m NNW of Coalpots Bridge (1.3 km), Houdston Hill,enclosure 300m SSW of Drumrannie Bridge (2.3 km).

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