Catrail facts for kids

The Catrail is an ancient, long ditch and bank structure in southern Scotland. It's a type of earthwork, which means it's a large feature made by shaping the land. The Catrail stretches for about 11.5 miles (18.5 km) across the countryside.

What is the Catrail?

The Catrail is a very old structure made of earth. It's like a long, low wall and a ditch running side-by-side. People who study history and old sites, called archaeologists, believe it was built a long time ago.

Where is the Catrail Located?

You can find the Catrail in a part of Scotland called Roxburghshire. It starts near a stream called Robert's Linn. From there, it goes west and then north-west. It ends near the Dean Burn, which flows into the Borthwick Water. This ancient earthwork cuts across the upper Teviot valley. It separates the lower farmlands near Hawick from the hillier areas to the south-west.

What Does the Catrail Look Like?

The Catrail isn't one continuous line. It's made up of several sections that are similar in shape. When there are gaps, the line often follows natural streams or rivers.

If you look at a cross-section of the Catrail, you'd see a ditch. This ditch is usually about 6 to 12 feet (1.8 to 3.7 meters) wide. It's also about 2 to 4.5 feet (0.6 to 1.4 meters) deep. Next to the ditch, there's a main bank. This bank is typically 8 to 13 feet (2.4 to 4 meters) wide and about 2 feet (0.6 meters) high. The main bank is usually on the north-east side of the ditch. Sometimes, there's also a smaller, lower bank on the other side of the ditch.

Why Was the Catrail Built?

Historians and archaeologists are still trying to fully understand why the Catrail was built. It might have been a boundary marker, showing the edge of a territory. It could also have been a defensive barrier, making it harder for people or animals to cross. Its location, separating different types of land, suggests it played an important role in ancient times.