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Peel of Fichlie is a medieval motte situated in Aberdeenshire, north-east Scotland. The earthwork rises from bedrock of the Argyll Group, a sequence of metamorphic rocks formed during the Neoproterozoic era comprising psammite, semipelite and pelite. These hard metamorphic foundations provided a stable base for the construction of this Norman-style fortification, which would have comprised an artificially raised earthen mound topped by timber defences.
The motte represents a characteristic form of early medieval military architecture, typically dating from the 11th to 13th centuries. Such structures served as local strongholds for Scottish landowners and were strategically positioned to command surrounding territory and communication routes across the Aberdeenshire landscape. The mound would originally have been surmounted by a wooden palisade and keep, with an associated bailey or defensive courtyard at its base.
The monument is protected by Historic Environment Scotland as a scheduled monument under reference SM10730, recognising its significance as evidence of medieval settlement patterns and feudal authority in northern Scotland. The survival of the earthwork demonstrates the enduring nature of these simple but effective military structures, whose physical form remains legible in the landscape centuries after their timber superstructures have vanished.
Peel of Fichlie, motte is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM10730. View the official record →
Peel of Fichlie is a medieval motte situated in Aberdeenshire, north-east Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM10730.
Peel of Fichlie, 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.
Peel of Fichlie, 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 SM10730.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including West Davoch, cairn 490m WNW of (6.7 km), Milton of Migvie,souterrain 400m SW of (7.4 km), Migvie Parish Church, cross-slab 25m SW of (7.5 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Peel of Fichlie, 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.
Peel of Fichlie, motte stands on Argyll Group, bedrock that formed in the Neoproterozoic. The rock here is psammite, semipelite and pelite.