Gallows Knowe at the House of Dun
This speedy park and grab can be found within sight of 'Gallows Knowe', a grassy mound in the grounds of the House of Dun which has a long and varied history.
UnderDUN:
Gallows Knowe is a flat-topped, artificial mound of approximately 25m in diameter, thought to have been constructed as a burial cairn during the Bronze Age (c. 2500 - 800BC).
Very little is currently known about what lies beneath the mound and, despite evidence of minor C19th damage from digging, the mound itself has never been properly excavated. This site is therefore of significant interest because of what it has the potential to tell us about the past, particularly the design and construction of burial monuments, and the nature of belief systems and burial practices during the Bronze Age in Angus.
Ritual and funerary monuments such as this one are often a major source of evidence for human activity during the Bronze Age in Scotland and are particularly important for enhancing our understanding of Bronze Age society, its organisation, economy, religion and demography.
It is a scheduled monument designated by Historic Environment Scotland.
OverDUN:
Gallows Knowe has likely been put to many uses since its construction. Throughout the centuries, mounds like this one have often been considered powerful places for people to gather, hold ceremonies, and pass justice in rudimentary courts.
It is thought that Gallows Knowe may have been used as a site of execution by the Barony of Dun during the medieval period and one old Ordinance Survey record states that it was once known locally as the "Pit and Gallows" and may therefore have included a pit for drowning women and a gallows for hanging men. This would have been in accordance with a Scottish feudal law enacted in Forfar in 1057 and was a common means of punishing thievery and other crimes committed by the tenants of the local lairds or barons.
Given the location of Gallows Knowe, so close to the original Dun Castle (remains of which can be seen not far from the current House of Dun which replaced it) and highly visible from the road to Montrose, this would have been a perfect place for a gallows, enhancing the Lord of Dun's sense of power over the region and warning passers by of the fate that might befall wrongdoers.
About the Cache
A simple park and grab, but bring your own pen!
It should be pretty easy to stop just nearby, but if not, the NTS House of DUN car park isn't far away, just continue up the drive. The car park is Pay & Display (or free to members of NTS) and is accessible even when the house isn't open.
This cache has been placed with the permission of the property manager.
The cache is also accessible via public transport with buses running between Brechin and Montrose stopping just outside the entrance to the House of Dun grounds.
Accessing the House of DUN
The grounds around House of Dun are open to the public and accessible 24/7, all year round. There is a play area for children, attractive walks, and dogs are welcome in the grounds.
The House of Dun itself is a National Trust for Scotland property, originally built by the famous architect William Adam and belonging to the Erskine family who were the Lairds of Montrose. Access to the house is subject to ticketed entry and variable, seasonal opening hours so it's important to check the website before visiting if you wish to see inside.
House of Dun on the NTS website
A freely accessible cafe, shop and plant sales are also available on site during opening times.