Scheduled MonumentsScotlandMither Tap, fort
Iron Age · Fort

Mither Tap, fort

Scotland
HES SM2114
Period
Iron Age
Site type
Fort
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Mither Tap is a prominent Iron Age hillfort located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, situated on the summit of a distinctive granite hill near Alford. The fort is defined by multiple concentric ramparts and ditches that encircle the hilltop, representing a substantial defensive structure characteristic of Iron Age settlement patterns in north-east Scotland. Occupation evidence and artefactual material suggest activity during the Iron Age period, though the precise dating and duration of use remain matters of scholarly discussion. The site's prominent topography and substantial earthwork defences indicate its importance as a territorial centre within the late prehistoric landscape of the region.

Mither Tap, fort is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM2114. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Mither Tap, fort?

Mither Tap is a prominent Iron Age hillfort located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, situated on the summit of a distinctive granite hill near Alford. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM2114.

What period does Mither Tap, fort date from?

Mither Tap, 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 Mither Tap, fort?

Mither Tap, 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 SM2114.

What other scheduled monuments are near Mither Tap, fort?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Newton of Braco, ring-cairn 740m W of (2.4 km), Chapel o' Sink Cairn, cairn (4.1 km), Abersnithack Lodge, enclosure 165m N of (4.9 km).

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