OSMap: LR86
Type: Signal-Station/Watch-Tower
Maiden Way: SSE (4) to CAMBOGLANNA (Birdoswald, Cumbria)
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NGRef: NY5771 OSMap: LR86 Type: Signal-Station/Watch-Tower |
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Maiden Way: NNW (2) to FANVM COCIDI (Bewcastle, Cumbria) Maiden Way: SSE (4) to CAMBOGLANNA (Birdoswald, Cumbria) | |
This signal station was excavated by Francis Haverfield who recognised and reported its Roman origins in 1901. It stands on Gillalees Beacon within line-of-sight of the Hadrianic Wall fort at Birdoswald, which lies about 4 miles (6.5 km) to SSE, and the signal station on Barron's Pike, about 2¼ miles (3.75 km) to NNE, both stations being associated with - and probably garrisoned from - the so-called "Northern Outpost" fort at Bewcastle, which lay out of sight about 2 miles (3.2 km) to NNW of the Butt.
The excavations conducted by Haverfield exposed the foundations of a stone-built tower, about 20 ft. (c.6 m) square at its base, with walls about 3¼ ft. (1 m) thick, still surviving to a height of about 5¾ ft. (1.75 m). Only a slight trace of the surrounding ditch system was recorded.
