Comments on: Alt Clut

By: Tim

Tim — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 09:06:24 +0000

The similarity betwen Degannwy and Alt Clut had not occurred to me before but the two are definitely alike in appearance. Both have the same kind of double summit with a deep “saddle” in between. There’s a similarity, too, in their histories: both show multiple phases of habitation, both were besieged by English forces (Alt Clut in 756; Degannwy in 822) and both were eventually re-used as medieval castle sites.

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:06:35 +0000

Yes, it’s almost an island – though it may have been less so in early times before the Clyde water level was altered for shipping (there was once a ford running to the Rock from near where the photo was taken). Certainly a better site for trade than Edinburgh or Stirling because of the western seaways which must have been (as Michelle points out) more active than the North sea routes. The archaeological evidence gives an idea of the range of imported goods.

By: Pysgod Y Sglodion

Pysgod Y Sglodion — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:37:55 +0000

I dont know if its ever been pointed out but it does have a striking familiarity in its formation to the Double crowned Hillfort known as Gannoc in Deganwy,Gwynedd.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 04:00:54 +0000

Practically an island, right? Seems like the best British hillfort in the north for trade. Even places like Eden and Stirling wouldn’t have the same trade access. The Picts and English would have controlled the mouth of the Firth of Forth, besides the Irish sea probably had a much better trade than the North Sea.