Volume contents
| List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keir Knowe of Drum | Keir Knowe of Drum Keir-brae of Drum |
William Leckie Ewin Esqr. Revd. [Reverend] Alexander Matheson Mr John Graham Mr Daniel Sinclair Statistical Account by William Anderson Minister in 1841 |
009.13 | An eminence covered with mixed wood on the banks of a small burn that empties itself into the Broich Burn It is one of those ancient Caledonian fortifications very common in the parish but about which very little is known except the name; it is supposed by some partes that they were used as beacons. Mr. Ewin of Arngomery the proprietor says that he set several men to work to dig up this Kier, but after digging a little below the surface the men said there was such a smell that they could not stand it, and nothing would induce them to renew their labors. No coins, arms, or relics of any description have even been found in any of those Kiers , and this is easily accounted for by the fact, that they have never been sought for. |
Continued entries/extra info
[Page] 21
From the Statistical Account of Kippen. "There are several small heights in the parish to which the
name Keir is applied, which bears the marks of some ancient military works, such as Keir of Glentirran,
Keir Hill of Dasher; Keir Brae of Drum; Keir Knowe of Arnmore; Keir Brae of Garden; Various
opinions have been entertained concerning the origin and use of these works; but no satisfactory account
can be given of them." These Keirs or Fortifications appear to have been scattered all over this
part of the country as similar names appear in the parish of Gargunnock (see extract below) and
as no remains of these fortifications can now be discovered on many of them, it is considered sufficient to write the names in
Stump to the Hills so that the names will be retained.
Statistical Account of Gargunnock Parish. "The Keir Hill was a fortified place, in the end of the 13th Century. It
is considerably elevated, and is of an oval figure, and has been surrounded by a rampart; it is near the
confluence of two rivulets which unite at the east end of the village; and there must have been a ditch to the south.
The Peel of Gargunnock has been a much larger fortification than the Keir Hill. It was situated on a rising ground
about 50 yards from the Forth, and about 50 or 60 yards east from the mouth of the burn of Gargunnock. It was surrounded
by a rampart and a ditch. Part of the ditch is still visible on the south, where it communicates with the burn. There is not
a vestige of the Peel now remaining; the plough passes over the place where it once stood; and the Site must be
pointed out to the inquiring stranger. The use of the Peel is supposed to have been for the protection of a ford,
Turn Over [continued on page 22]
Ordnance Survey - Stirling county, OS Name Books - Stirling county - Volume 17 - Parish of Kippen, OS1/32/17
This volume contains information on place names found in the parish of Kippen.
Ordnance Survey - Stirling county
Ordnance Survey was established in the 18th century to create maps, surveys and associated records for the entirety of Great Britain. These records are arranged by county. This entry has been created to enable searching for Ordnance Survey records for the county of Stirling, which is in central Scotland. The boundaries of the county were altered by the Boundary Commissioners in 1891.