Scheduled MonumentsScotlandThe Belt,fort,High Townhead
Iron Age · Fort,high townhead

The Belt,fort,High Townhead

Scotland
HES SM644
Period
Iron Age
Site type
Fort,high townhead
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic Environment Scotland

Overview

History & significance

The Belt is an Iron Age fort located at High Townhead in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. The site comprises a hillforth with defensive earthworks characteristic of the Iron Age period, demonstrating the strategic importance of fortified settlements in south-west Scotland during the prehistoric iron-working era. The fort's location on elevated terrain reflects the typical defensive positioning of such monuments, affording commanding views over the surrounding landscape. As a scheduled monument under Historic Environment Scotland protection (reference SM644), The Belt contributes to our understanding of Iron Age settlement patterns and tribal organisation in the Scottish borders region.

The Belt,fort,High Townhead is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM644. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is The Belt,fort,High Townhead?

The Belt is an Iron Age fort located at High Townhead in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM644.

What period does The Belt,fort,High Townhead date from?

The Belt,fort,High Townhead dates from the iron age period, and is classified as a fort,high townhead. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting The Belt,fort,High Townhead?

The Belt,fort,High Townhead 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 SM644.

What other scheduled monuments are near The Belt,fort,High Townhead?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Bankfoot,Roman camps & forts,Dalswinton (1.8 km), Dalswinton Old House (2.1 km), Kilroy,enclosures E and NE of (2.6 km).

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