Gazetteer of
British Place Names

Scots' Dike is a 3½-mile-long linear earthwork in Cumberland and Dumfriesshire. It was constructed in 1552 stretching roughly east from the River Sark to the River Esk and still forming part of the border between England and Scotland (Cumberland and Dumfriesshire). Few Norman castles survived the 14th century but numerous tower houses and pele towers were built in the 15-16th centuries, when ‘Border Reivers’ were a constant menace, rustling livestock, pillaging, kidnapping and extorting protection money. When eventually agreement was reached in 1551, the Debateable Land was divided between the two countries and the boundary was defined by a shallow ditch with the earth thrown up on each side forming two parallel banks which became known as the Scot’s Dyke. It is within the council areas of Cumberland and Dumfries and Galloway.
Historic England Scheduled Monument 1016860.

Primary Name(s): Scots' Dike
Place Type: Tudor Monument
Historic County: Cumberland / Dumfriesshire
Lat, Long: 55.054342,-3.0160965
Grid Reference: NY 3518 7378
Council Area: Cumberland CA / Dumfries and Galloway CA
Police Area: Cumbria PA / Scotland (Dumfries and Galloway) PA
GBPN ID:  GBPN304292

 GBPN URL: https://gazetteer.org.uk/place/Scots%27_Dike,_Cumberland_304292