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Mote Knowe, Kilkerran is a medieval motte located in Ayrshire, Scotland. The monument sits upon bedrock of the Lanark Group, a formation of sandstone and conglomerate that date to the Early Devonian period. This natural geology provided a stable foundation for the earthwork's construction and would have influenced its defensive properties.
The motte is a substantial earthen mound characteristic of Norman and medieval Scottish fortifications, serving as the raised platform for a timber stronghold. Such structures typically date from the 11th to 13th centuries and represent an efficient form of castle construction, combining natural or enhanced topography with modest labour demands. The Lanark Group bedrock beneath Mote Knowe would have provided good drainage, a practical advantage for any settlement or garrison occupying the site.
The monument is protected as a scheduled ancient monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM2863, recognising its historical significance as evidence of medieval lordship and settlement patterns in Ayrshire. Motte sites across Scotland reflect the complex political landscape of the medieval period, marking territorial control and administrative centres across the landscape.
Mote Knowe,motte,Kilkerran is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM2863. View the official record →
Mote Knowe, Kilkerran is a medieval motte located in Ayrshire, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM2863.
Mote Knowe,motte,Kilkerran dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a motte,kilkerran. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Mote Knowe,motte,Kilkerran 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 SM2863.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Drummochreen,house (3 km), Dalquharran Castle (Old Castle) (3.1 km), The Lady Chapel,640m NE of Kilkerran (3.3 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Mote Knowe,motte,Kilkerran'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.
Mote Knowe,motte,Kilkerran stands on Lanark Group, bedrock that formed in the Early Devonian. The rock here is sandstone and conglomerate, interbedded.