Skip to main content

Castle O'er

Where we are

Castle O'er Forest Notice

Car park is closed due to a large pothole which is making the car park inaccessible. There is alternative parking at Bessie’s Hill is approx. 1.5 miles along the road.

About

Explore this spectacular prehistoric settlement

It’s worth visiting this dramatic hill fort at any time of year to soak in the atmosphere.

Castle O’er was probably the base for an important branch of the Selgovae tribe, who ruled much of south west Scotland in the Iron Age. Archaeologists have identified the traces of nearly thirty round timber houses inside the grassy banks: when folk lived here the bank would have been topped with a wooden fence. There were at least two major phases of building at Castle O’er. At first, people built a large oval of twin ramparts and a ditch bank around the hill. Later a smaller, single-walled oval was added inside the first.

The site was probably planned as a place that would be easy to defend against attackers, but it looks as if people continued living on the hill long after it stopped being a fortress. They would have farmed livestock and crops in the rich open grasslands of the valley. Richard Bell, the local landowner, excavated part of Castle O’er in the 1890s. You can see some of the things he found in Dumfries Museum, including beads imported from Ireland, a flint blade, and Iron Age spindle whorls for spinning wool.

You can find out more about the network of prehistoric sites in Eskdale along the Eskdale Prehistoric Trail.

Walking trails

Castle O'er route card (PDF)

Walking

Hill Fort Trail

Climb up to the impressive hill fort on Castle O’er Hill for fantastic views across Eskdale.

Long steep slopes on rough, narrow and grassy surface. Some sections may be muddy. Includes two stiles. There are no waymarkers on the fort itself to protect the monument.

Strenuous trail grade icon grade icon
1 miles / 1.6 km

Allow ¾ hours

More information

These earthworks were the home of the Iron Age Selgovae tribe. When you reach the top of the hill, see if you can spot the circular traces of the wooden huts that once stood here. They look as if they’re arranged in a street, but some overlap others. They must date from several different periods, as the hill was occupied for a long time.

Facilities and access

Ancient monument
Ancient monument
Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Walking
Walking
Parking
Parking

Find nearby essentials

The nearest places to eat and find toilets are in Langholm or Lockerbie.

Car parking information

There is no charge to park in this car park. Please park with care and consideration. In particular please park in designated parking areas only and do not block entrances or gates.

More about parking

Getting here

Head towards Eskdalemuir from Lockerbie, Langholm or Hawick. Castle O’er is on a minor road off the B709 between Eskdalemuir and Langholm.

Using SatNav?

DG13 0PJ is the nearest postcode.

Get directions

Get in touch

Have a question or suggestion for improvement?

Phone
0300 067 6900 (option 1)
More contact information

Nearby forests

Drooping conifer branch

An Iron Age landscape with views over the River Esk

Facilities and activities
Ancient monument
Ancient monument
Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Walking
Walking
Parking
Parking
Distance from 'Bessie's Hill': 1.56 miles
Drooping conifer branch

Find space to breathe at Craigieburn

Facilities and activities
Walking
Walking
Parking
Parking
Picnic area
Picnic area
Distance from 'Craigieburn Forest': 11.11 miles
Drooping conifer branch

A stunning woodland landscape with tranquil trails

Facilities and activities
Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Walking
Walking
All ability trails
All ability trails
Parking
Parking
Picnic area
Picnic area
Distance from 'Craik Forest': 11.54 miles