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Castledykes Park is a motte and bailey castle situated in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. The monument comprises a raised mound, or motte, alongside its associated bailey—a defended courtyard typical of medieval fortifications introduced to Britain following the Norman Conquest. The castle and its earthworks remain substantial features within the landscape, their form preserved across several centuries despite the passage of time and changing land use.
The site rests upon bedrock of the Stewartry Group, a geological formation of Early Permian age composed of sandstone, breccia and conglomerate. These durable rocks provided a stable foundation for the castle's construction, whilst the varied stone types available locally may have supplied material for building works undertaken on the site during its period of occupation.
Castledykes Park is protected as a scheduled monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM2472. This designation recognises the site's significance as evidence of medieval military architecture and settlement in south-western Scotland, preserving its earthworks and any archaeological deposits for future study and public appreciation.
Castledykes Park, motte and bailey, medieval castle and associated earthworks is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM2472. View the official record →
Castledykes Park is a motte and bailey castle situated in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM2472.
Castledykes Park, motte and bailey, medieval castle and associated earthworks dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a motte and bailey, medieval castle and associated earthworks. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Castledykes Park, motte and bailey, medieval castle and associated earthworks 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 SM2472.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Curriestanes,cursus E of (1.8 km), Lincluden College, motte and precinct (3.4 km), Picts Knowe,fort (3.5 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Castledykes Park, motte and bailey, medieval castle and associated earthworks'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.
Castledykes Park, motte and bailey, medieval castle and associated earthworks stands on Stewartry Group, bedrock that formed in the Early Permian. The rock here is sandstone, breccia and conglomerate.