Castlefacts³

Darden Lough Pele

Has been described as a Rejected Pele Tower, and also as a Rejected Uncertain

There are uncertain remains

Name	Darden Lough Pele
Alternative Names
Historic Country	Northumberland
Modern Authority	Northumberland
1974 Authority	Northumberland
Civil Parish	Hepple

Both Darden Lough and High Rigg have been noted in old documents as the site of fortified watch towers, but the evidence is so scant it is impossible to say whether there was a tower at each, or a single tower with two names. (PastScape ref. Dodds 1999)

This pile of stones has sometimes been identified as the site of a pele tower, which is thought to have stood in this area. However, it is in fact the remains of a Bronze Age cairn. (Keys to the Past)

Gatehouse Comments

Dodds writes site is shown on old documents as the site of old watch towers. There is scant evidence on the ground. Darden Lough is famed as a source of leeches for early medics. King writes called a pele but rejects as a site as identified as a cairn. Is identified as a sheep fold on 1st edition OS so may possibly be relic of tower. Identified as Bronze Age Cairn in SMR and PastScape. It seems probable that the recorded 'Watch Towers' may have actual been simple shepherds shelters constructed from old cairns.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)

1387822
19494

County Historic Environment Record

www.keystothepast.info/article/10339/Site-Details?PRN=N9689

OS Map Grid Reference	NY967955
Latitude	55.2543601989746
Longitude	-2.05270004272461
Eastings	396740
Northings	595580