© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic Environment Scotland
Dryleys souterrain is an Iron Age underground stone-built structure located in Angus, Scotland, situated approximately 150 metres north-west of the settlement it served. Souterrains were characteristic features of Iron Age settlements in Scotland, constructed as stone-lined passages or chambers accessed from ground level, likely serving functions including storage, refuge or ritual purposes. This example is protected as a scheduled monument by Historic Environment Scotland.
The monument lies upon bedrock of the Stratheden Group, formed during the Late Devonian period. This geological foundation consists of interbedded sandstone and conglomerate, materials that would have influenced both the construction technique and the stability of the underground works. The local stone composition was crucial to the durability of the souterrain's walls and survival to the present day.
Souterrains across Scotland share consistent architectural principles, but their specific layouts and scales varied according to local conditions and community needs. The Dryleys example represents an important survival of Iron Age settlement archaeology within Angus, contributing to understanding of domestic life, settlement patterns and building practices in this period. Its protected status ensures preservation for future archaeological investigation and study.
Dryleys,souterrain 150m NW of is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM6134. View the official record →
Dryleys souterrain is an Iron Age underground stone-built structure located in Angus, Scotland, situated approximately 150 metres north-west of the settlement it served. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM6134.
Dryleys,souterrain 150m NW of dates from the iron age period, and is classified as a souterrain. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Dryleys,souterrain 150m NW of 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 SM6134.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Newbigging,ring ditches 300m S of (1.8 km), Newbigging,enclosures,ring ditches and souterrain 300m SW of (1.9 km), Denhead Cottage,enclosure 200m W of (5.7 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Dryleys,souterrain 150m NW of's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Dryleys,souterrain 150m NW of stands on Stratheden Group, bedrock that formed in the Late Devonian. The rock here is sandstone and conglomerate, interbedded.