Condition

2
Fort
Medieval, Post-Medieval
60188
SMR1120004
Scottish Borders

Description

This fort occupies a high promontory above the town of Eyemouth. It was built in 1547 for Protector Somerset by Sir Richard Lee, who later designed the fortifications at Berwick-on-Tweed. It was re-fortified by the French in 1557, when a long curtain wall and a ditch with bastions at either end were built. The cliff edge in this area is very unstable and there is evidence of recent substantial landslip and of coastal erosion. The fortifications on the coast edge are affected and there are numerous exposures showing the stony deposits which form the ramparts. While it is unlikely that this site can be protected against further losses, a programme of monitoring, both on the promontory and among eroded deposits on the beach below may be productive. The site is visible on AP's (B227 3122-4 11/5/49, B755 654-5 25/5/74). ShoreUPDATE 2014 As described. There is ongoing erosion of the cliffs of the promontory, which has exposed sections through the banks and ditches of the fort's defences. Other issues include a lack of interpretation and access problems caused by long grasses covering the earthworks and much of the interior of the fort. Eyemouth Fort is the subject of a SCHARP ShoreDIG project with the local community to further investigate the site and its condition and to improve access and interpretation of the site. UPDATE 2016 An on-site interpretation board was installed on the site in September 2016 and explains the history of the site and the two phases of earthworks. A management plan for the site is in preparation.

Location

394320.00
664840.00
27700
55.8766861
-2.0923543

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
Eyemouth Fort detail of the French ditch 20/11/2014 Eyemouth Fort detail of the French ditch EllieSCHARP
Eyemouth Fort detail of the French ditch
Eyemouth Fort, detail of stonework 20/11/2014 Eyemouth Fort, detail of stonework EllieSCHARP
Eyemouth Fort, detail of stonework
Eyemouth Fort cliffs 20/11/2014 Eyemouth Fort cliffs EllieSCHARP
Eyemouth Fort cliffs
Eyemouth fort view of the east side of the promontory 20/11/2014 Eyemouth fort view of the east side of the promontory EllieSCHARP
Eyemouth fort view of the east side of the promontory
Eyemouth fort view of the east side of the promontory 20/11/2014 Eyemouth fort view of the east side of the promontory EllieSCHARP
Eyemouth fort view of the east side of the promontory
Eyemouth Fort aerial view showing the two lines of defensive earthworks 20/11/2014 Eyemouth Fort aerial view showing the two lines of defensive earthworks UKCAP
Eyemouth Fort aerial view showing the two lines of defensive earthworks
Eyemouth Fort aerial view showing the fort and the glace 20/11/2014 Eyemouth Fort aerial view showing the fort and the glace UKCAP
Eyemouth Fort aerial view showing the fort and the glace
Eyemouth Fort aerial view 20/11/2014 Eyemouth Fort aerial view UKCAP
Eyemouth Fort aerial view
Eyemouth Fort aerial view 20/11/2014 Eyemouth Fort aerial view UKCAP
Eyemouth Fort aerial view
Eyemouth Fort aerial view showing the fort and town 20/11/2014 Eyemouth Fort aerial view showing the fort and town UKCAP
Eyemouth Fort aerial view showing the fort and town

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
1862 20/11/2014 EllieSCHARP
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Coastally eroding? active sea erosion; has eroded in the past
Threats vegetation growth
Visibility above ground Highly visible (substantial remains)
Visibility in section Limited visibility in section
Access easily accessible - no restrictions; accessible on foot (footpath)
Local knowledge has local associations/history
Description This fort occupies a high promontory above the town of Eyemouth. It was built in 1547 for Protector Somerset by Sir Richard Lee, who later designed the fortifications at Berwick-on-Tweed. It was re-fortified by the French in 1557, when a long curtain wall and a ditch with bastions at either end were built. The cliff edge in this area is very unstable and there is evidence of recent substantial landslip and of coastal erosion. The fortifications on the coast edge are affected and there are numerous exposures showing the stony deposits which form the ramparts. While it is unlikely that this site can be protected against further losses, a programme of monitoring, both on the promontory and among eroded deposits on the beach below may be productive. The site is visible on AP's (B227 3122-4 11/5/49, B755 654-5 25/5/74). ShoreUPDATE 2014 As described. There is ongoing erosion of the cliffs of the promontory, which has exposed sections through the banks and ditches of the fort's defences. Other issues include a lack of interpretation and access problems caused by long grasses covering the earthworks and much of the interior of the fort. Eyemouth Fort is the subject of a SCHARP ShoreDIG project with the local community to further investigate the site and its condition and to improve access and interpretation of the site. UPDATE 2016 An on-site interpretation board was installed on the site in September 2016 and explains the history of the site and the two phases of earthworks. A management plan for the site is in preparation.
Comments Although the vegetation growth identified as a threat is not a threat to the site itself, it obscures the earthworks and prevents easy access to much of the site.

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