Scheduled MonumentsScotlandMaiden Castle,motte,Windygates
Medieval · Motte,windygates

Maiden Castle,motte,Windygates

Scotland
HES SM861
Period
Medieval
Site type
Motte,windygates
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic Environment Scotland

Overview

History & significance

Maiden Castle is a motte situated near Windygates in Fife, Scotland. The earthwork comprises a raised mound typical of Norman and early medieval fortification design, dating to the medieval period. Such mottes commonly served as the defensive nucleus of early feudal settlements, often accompanied by an adjacent bailey or palisaded enclosure, though the specific arrangements at this site require archaeological confirmation. The monument represents an important element of the medieval settlement pattern in Fife and contributes to understanding the distribution of early fortified sites across Scotland during the Norman and subsequent medieval periods.

Maiden Castle,motte,Windygates is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM861. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Maiden Castle,motte,Windygates?

Maiden Castle is a motte situated near Windygates in Fife, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM861.

What period does Maiden Castle,motte,Windygates date from?

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

Who is responsible for protecting Maiden Castle,motte,Windygates?

Maiden Castle,motte,Windygates 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 SM861.

What other scheduled monuments are near Maiden Castle,motte,Windygates?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Kilmux Colliery, beam engine house, 630m SW of Kilmux House (3.1 km), Balgonie Castle, artillery fortification (3.8 km), Macduff's Castle, East Wemyss (4.4 km).

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