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Keir of Cashley motte is a medieval earthwork located in Stirlingshire, Scotland. The monument consists of an artificial mound characteristic of motte-and-bailey fortifications built during the Norman period and high medieval era. Constructed upon Strathmore Group sandstone bedrock, the mound would have supported a timber or stone structure commanding views across the surrounding landscape. The underlying geology of sandstone interspersed with conglomerate, siltstone and mudstone provided stable foundation material for the earthwork's construction.
The site demonstrates the typical defensive strategy of its period, whereby an elevated mound offered both practical military advantage and symbolic authority over the local territory. Such fortifications commonly served as administrative centres and refuges for local lords. The location in Stirlingshire places it within an area of significant medieval strategic importance, lying between major centres of power in central Scotland.
The motte is protected by Historic Environment Scotland under scheduled monument reference SM2111, recognising its importance as evidence of medieval settlement, land management and social hierarchy. Like many mottes in Scotland, the site contributes to understanding how Norman and feudal lordship shaped the medieval Scottish landscape and organised rural settlement patterns during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.
Keir of Cashley,motte is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM2111. View the official record →
Keir of Cashley motte is a medieval earthwork located in Stirlingshire, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM2111.
Keir of Cashley,motte dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a motte. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Keir of Cashley,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 SM2111.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Peel of Gartfarran,homestead moat 3200m NW of Buchlyvie (3.2 km), Fairy Knowe,broch,Buchlyvie (3.2 km), Woodend,motte (4.2 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Keir of Cashley,motte'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.
Keir of Cashley,motte stands on Strathmore Group, bedrock that formed in the Emsian. The rock here is sandstone with subordinate conglomerate, siltstone and mudstone.