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Cantraydoune is a medieval motte situated in Nairnshire, Scotland, designated as a scheduled monument under Historic Environment Scotland reference SM3189. The earthwork rises from bedrock composed of a felsic igneous intrusion of Late Silurian to Early Devonian age, formed during the Early Devonian period. This geological foundation, exposed across much of the surrounding landscape, would have influenced both the construction techniques employed and the defensive qualities of the site.
The motte represents a typical form of medieval lordly stronghold, consisting of an artificial or enhanced earthen mound designed to elevate and protect a timber palisade and associated structures. The site's location in the fertile agricultural region of the Moray coast made it strategically valuable during the medieval period, when such fortifications served as seats of power and instruments of territorial control across lowland Scotland.
Little is recorded of the monument's specific history or chronology, though its form suggests construction within the medieval period. The surrounding landscape, shaped by its distinctive igneous geology, provided a setting suited to settlement and defensive works. Today the motte survives as an important archaeological monument, preserving evidence of medieval land-holding and fortification practices in northern Scotland.
Cantraydoune, motte 100m W of is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM3189. View the official record →
Cantraydoune is a medieval motte situated in Nairnshire, Scotland, designated as a scheduled monument under Historic Environment Scotland reference SM3189.
Cantraydoune, motte 100m W of dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a motte. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Cantraydoune, motte 100m W of is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM3189.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Easter Rattich, depopulated settlement 575m SSW of Ruallan (3.4 km), Clava Cairns, cairns 70m, 170m NE of and 210m, 460m ENE of, barrow 270m NE of, and standing stone 395m NE of Balnuarin (3.5 km), Milton of Clava, cairn 215m SSW of (4.2 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Cantraydoune, motte 100m W of's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Cantraydoune, motte 100m W of stands on Unnamed Igneous Intrusion, Late Silurian To Early Devonian, bedrock that formed in the Early Devonian. The rock here is felsic-rock.