NS21NE 3 28493 18709 Smith describes a fort on the extreme point of the Heads of Ayr: 'It has been defended on the land side by a broad ditch, which is still 7ft deep, the other side of the fort being very steep. Its surface slopes seawards and measures 25 paces by 21.' This is considered to be a natural formation by the RCAHMS (letter from K A Steer, RCAHMS, 16 April 1954). J Smith 1895 NS 2847 1873. A small, rocky, isolated area, as described above, is cut off from the landward side by a natural cutting 16.0m broad and 2.0m to 3.0m deep. Although giving the impression of a fortification, there is no trace of any banks or walls to substantiate this, and the conclusion reached by the RCAHMS should be accepted. Visited by OS (JLD) 16 December 1955 Previous field report confirmed. Visited by OS (RD) 3 March 1967 A fragment of dark pottery (formerly in J Smith's collection) from Heads of Ayr was donated to the NMAS in 1931 (Acc No: HR848). NMAS Card Index Cropmarks have revealed the ditches of a fort cutting off the SE approach to the steep-sided promontory that forms the W end of the cliffs known as the Heads of Ayr. The ditches are about 3m broad and are set 20m apart, cutting off an area measuring 80m from NW to SE by 60m transversely. The interior is divided into two parts by a gully measuring 18m in breadth by 2m in depth; to the SE of the gully the ground has been cultivated and to the NW it is rocky and un even. Smith interpretted the gully that crosses the interior as a ditch, but was unaware of the ditches in the cultivated ground. In 1931 a fragment of dark-coloured pottery from the Heads of Ayr (formerly in Smith's collection) was donated to the NMAS (HR 848). RCAHMS 1985, visited (SH) June 1985.