An ad for Dorset hill forts recently caught my eye. It proudly boasted 18 Iron Age forts—an impressive number by most standards.
But in the Scottish Borders? We don’t just dabble in hill forts. We have a staggering 408 of them.
That’s right—four hundred and eight Iron Age hill forts packed into this wild and rugged landscape. The highest concentration in all of Europe.
And today, I decided to begin my own journey into this ancient world, starting with one I’d never visited before: the magnificent Dreva Craig.
🏞️ Into the Hills Near Peebles
Located near Peebles, Dreva Craig is not your average mound with a ditch. It’s a dramatic, boulder-strewn hill that feels like it could still repel an invading force today.
Some of the large rocks here may be natural, but others were strategically placed—some say to deflect cavalry and chariots. Sharp, jagged stones line the perimeter, designed as a kind of prehistoric tank trap. Genius.
🏰 More Than a Fort—A Forgotten Fortress
This site blew me away. Not just in scale but in structure. Stone walls, multiple layers of defense, and what looks like the remnants of a large settlement sprawled across the hillside. The views are massive. On a clear day, you can see for miles—a perfect lookout, a place of safety in a land shaped by war.
“It reminds me of Hardknott or the Welsh hill forts. But here in the Borders, you feel like you’ve stumbled into something truly forgotten, not fenced off or curated. Just waiting.”
🧮 Sesame Street Moment: Today’s Episode Brought to You by the Number 408
It’s worth repeating: 408 hill forts in the Scottish Borders. That’s one per week for nearly 8 years if you’re dedicated.
Every hill seems to hide a story. Dreva, like many others, may predate written history—but it’s not quiet. Its stones still speak.
And right across the valley? Tinnis Castle—another ancient site layered on what was likely once a hill fort too.
🤯 Why So Many Hill Forts?
It’s not just the hills—it’s the history.
This was a collision point of cultures—a confluence of ancient peoples. The geography, the rivers, the climate… all funneled people together in this region, and where people meet, they build—and defend.
Even before the Border existed, this was a land of conflict, contact, and community. And they didn’t live in the valleys. They lived in the hills.
🗺️ From Dreva to 407 More…
If you’ve never heard of Dreva Craig, don’t worry. With 407 more forts in the Borders, there’s something for everyone—whether you’re a casual hiker, a history buff, or a time-travel dreamer.
Some are massive and dramatic. Others are mere humps and rings. But they’re all part of a landscape that holds more history than almost anywhere else in Europe.
So next time you see a random hill in the Borders, look again. You might be standing on a 2,000-year-old fortress.
