Scheduled MonumentsScotlandCastle Hill,motte
Medieval · Motte

Castle Hill,motte

Scotland
HES SM355
Period
Medieval
Site type
Motte
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Castle Hill, Motte is a medieval motte in Banffshire, Scotland, dating from the Norman period of Scottish fortification in the twelfth century or shortly thereafter. The monument consists of an earthen mound characteristic of early Norman defensive architecture, representing a form of castle construction that was widely adopted across Scotland following the Norman influence in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Such mottes typically functioned as administrative and defensive centres for local lords, though the specific historical associations of this Banffshire example remain largely undocumented in the surviving records. The site demonstrates the material culture and settlement patterns of early medieval Scotland, when such earthwork fortifications were prevalent before the development of stone castle architecture.

Castle Hill,motte is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM355. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Castle Hill,motte?

Castle Hill, Motte is a medieval motte in Banffshire, Scotland, dating from the Norman period of Scottish fortification in the twelfth century or shortly thereafter. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM355.

What period does Castle Hill,motte date from?

Castle Hill,motte dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a motte. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Castle Hill,motte?

Castle Hill,motte 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 SM355.

What other scheduled monuments are near Castle Hill,motte?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Crannoch Hill, radar station 400m ESE of Logie House (2.1 km), Foulford Bridge, cairn 310m NW of (2.1 km), Foulford Bridge, cairn 160m WnW of (2.2 km).

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