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Larabank Castle is a medieval motte situated in Renfrewshire, Scotland. The earthwork rises prominently from bedrock composed of Dinantian extrusive rocks—mafic lavas and tuffs formed during the Mississippian period—which provide a naturally elevated foundation for the fortification. This geological base would have offered defensive advantage and stability for the timber or stone structures that crowned the mound.
The motte represents a common form of medieval lordly residence and stronghold in medieval Scotland, typically consisting of a raised earthen mound topped by a palisade and central tower or keep. The Renfrewshire location places it within the territory of the medieval Scottish south-west, where such fortifications served both residential and defensive functions for local landowners.
The monument is protected by Historic Environment Scotland under the reference SM5644, recognising its significance as a surviving example of medieval military architecture. The site remains an important record of feudal settlement patterns and the built landscape of medieval Scotland, preserving evidence of the period when such mottes were constructed and occupied across lowland Britain and Scotland.
Larabank Castle,motte is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM5644. View the official record →
Larabank Castle is a medieval motte situated in Renfrewshire, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM5644.
Larabank Castle,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.
Larabank Castle,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 SM5644.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Barr Castle (1.9 km), Glengarnock Castle (2.1 km), Castle Semple Loch, tower house to S of loch (3.4 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Larabank Castle,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.
Larabank Castle,motte stands on Unnamed Extrusive Rocks, Dinantian, bedrock that formed in the Mississippian. The rock here is mafic lava and mafic tuff.