More information : (NY 85099526) Peel (GT) (Remains of) (1)
Pele at Rattenraw. (2)
The NW and NE walls of the tower stand to a max height of 1.5m on the interior, 2.5m on the exterior. There are no traces of the other two sides.
The walls are of massive stones, and indicate an original thickness of approx 1.6m. The tower was approx 8.5m long E-W, and 7.0m wide N-S. The remains are now incorporated into a field stone dyke. The site is at approx 570ft above OD and commands the valley of the River Rede to the N and SE.
The Rattenraw Burn provides some natural defence upon the west and north sides at a distance of 20.0m. The open moorland to the west rises gently. There is no evidence for dating, but pele towers in Northumberland are usually Md or late Md. (3)
The NW wall has now partially collapsed, otherwise as described. From the existing remains it is impossible to decide whether the building was a tower or a bastle. (4)
NY 850952 Remains of bastle. (See Type Site NY 88 SE 14) (5)
Listed by Cathcart King and by Dodds. (6,7) |