(NT 8569 2818) Tumulus. (1)

A Bronze Age cairn on Coldsmouth Hill excavated 1929 measured 48ft x 45ft x 3ft high. A number of large boulders formed a ring 35ft in diameter within the cairn and with the suggestion of an outer ring to the north and north-east at a distance of 3ft. An inner belt of stones 16ft diameter and 2ft broad formed a semi-circle round the north-east side. In the centre of the cairn was a cist-like excavation in the rock measuring 4ft 6in x 2ft 9in x 1ft 6in containing a deposit of calcined human bones, charcoal and a thumb scraper 1-1/2in x 1-1/8int x 3/8in worked on one side only. Eight feet to the south-west of the cist lay another cist-like grave 4ft x 3ft x 1ft 9in containing dark coloured soil and charcoal, but no bones. It was covered by three large stones. The thumb scraper is now in the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland, Edinburgh. (2)

At the north end of an oval-shaped pasture-covered hill top, a circle of loose stones, diameter 15m, width 4m, of maximum height 0.5m. On the interior side, a fragmentary ring of stones of diameter 13m, with a further horseshoe shaped arc of stones around the east side of diameter 5m, and of width 1m. An oval shaped hollow in the centre of the site, and 3m to the south-west three large stones as described by Hewat Craw, presumably covering the second burial site. Location of scraper has not been confirmed. A modern cairn of loose stones 2m high, 2.5m diameter at the base, is set on the outside of the cairn on the north-east side. (2)

The site is set upon a slight rise, but there is no evidence of an external ditch. (3)

As described by F1. Revised at 6 inch scale. (4)

Scheduled. (5)

Southern ring cairn on Coldsmouth Hill. Scheduling affirmed 24th July 1996, new national monument number 24585. (6)

NT 857 283; NT 857 282. Coldsmouth Hill round cairns. Scheduled No ND/446. (7a)