Scheduled MonumentsScotlandWest Mains,fort
Iron Age · Fort

West Mains,fort

Scotland
HES SM4004
Period
Iron Age
Site type
Fort
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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

Overview

History & significance

West Mains is a Iron Age fort located in East Lothian, Scotland. The site comprises a substantial earthwork fortification typical of the later Iron Age period in southeastern Scotland, with defensive characteristics consistent with settlements of the first centuries BC and AD. The fort's physical remains include defensive banks and ditches that would have enclosed a settlement area, serving as a stronghold for a local community during this period of Scottish prehistory. Such forts represent important evidence for settlement patterns, social organisation, and defensive strategies among Iron Age populations in the Lothian region.

West Mains,fort is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM4004. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is West Mains,fort?

West Mains is a Iron Age fort located in East Lothian, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM4004.

What period does West Mains,fort date from?

West Mains,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 West Mains,fort?

West Mains,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 SM4004.

What other scheduled monuments are near West Mains,fort?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Enclosed settlement and pit alignment, 65m E of 53/54 The Crescent, Gowkshill (8.1 km), Pathhead,Roman camps,enclosures and pit alignment (8.3 km), Barrow, 55m E of 20 David Herkes Way, Gowkshill (8.3 km).

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