Barmkin

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Barmkin, also spelled barmekin, is a Scots word which refers to a form of defensive cattle enclosure, typically found without castles, Tower houses, Pele towers, and Bastle houses in Scotland, or in the very north of England. It has been suggest that etymologically the word may be a corruption of the word barbican.

Examples of places which contained barmkins include: Akefeld Castle, Halton Castle, Smailholm Tower, Edingham Castle, and Crichton Castle. An excellent example is "the barmekin of Echt" in Aberdeenshire, near the village of echt, it comprises 7 circular stone walls, on top of a hilltop.