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Morton of Blebo is a medieval motte situated 350 metres south of Blebo in Fife, Scotland. The monument is a substantial earthwork typical of the Norman period, comprising a raised mound with a flat summit that would have supported a timber palisade and defensive structures. The motte rises distinctly from the surrounding landscape, which is underlain by Carboniferous to Permian dolerite and tholeiitic basalt bedrock. This igneous geology provides a naturally hard foundation that would have offered stability for the substantial earthwork during its construction and use.
The site reflects the pattern of motte building in lowland Scotland during the medieval period, when such fortifications served as military strongholds and centres of lordly authority. The choice of location at Morton of Blebo would have been influenced by both defensive considerations and proximity to communication routes through Fife. The solid volcanic bedrock beneath the site contrasts with many neighbouring regions and may have influenced both the selection and construction method of this particular motte.
The monument is protected by Historic Environment Scotland as a scheduled monument under reference SM3546, ensuring its preservation as an important record of medieval settlement and military organisation in Fife.
Morton of Blebo,motte 350m S of is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM3546. View the official record →
Morton of Blebo is a medieval motte situated 350 metres south of Blebo in Fife, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM3546.
Morton of Blebo,motte 350m S of dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a motte. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Morton of Blebo,motte 350m S of 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 SM3546.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Kemback School,church 155m WNW of (1.6 km), Denork Craig, Fort (2.5 km), Drumcarrow Craig, hut circles (2.6 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Morton of Blebo,motte 350m S of'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.
Morton of Blebo,motte 350m S of stands on Unnamed Igneous Intrusion, Carboniferous To Permian, bedrock that formed in the Permian. The rock here is dolerite and tholeiitic basalt.