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Rait Castle enclosure is a post-medieval defensive structure located in Nairnshire, in the Scottish Highlands. Situated 320 metres north-east of Rait Castle itself, this separate enclosure represents a distinct phase of fortification associated with the castle complex. The monument is constructed upon bedrock of an unnamed igneous intrusion of felsic composition, formed during the Early Devonian period and part of the Late Silurian to Early Devonian geological sequence that underlies this part of Nairnshire. This robust geological foundation provided stable ground for the enclosure's construction.
Post-medieval enclosures of this type typically served defensive, administrative or agricultural functions within wider castle estates. The location of this example, detached from the main castle structure, suggests it may have been designed to protect livestock, stores or retainers' quarters, or to control movement through the surrounding landscape. The felsic igneous bedrock, composed of lighter-coloured minerals and harder than many other rock types, would have influenced both the construction methods and the durability of the enclosure walls.
The monument is protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM11805, reflecting its significance as part of the archaeological and historical landscape of early modern Nairnshire.
Rait Castle, enclosure 320m NE of is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM11805. View the official record →
Rait Castle enclosure is a post-medieval defensive structure located in Nairnshire, in the Scottish Highlands. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM11805.
Rait Castle, enclosure 320m NE of dates from the post-medieval period, and is classified as a enclosure. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Rait Castle, enclosure 320m NE 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 SM11805.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Slagachorrie, dun 835m NW of (1.3 km), Castle Findlay,fort (1.7 km), Geddes House,ring ditches 700m SW of (1.7 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Rait Castle, enclosure 320m NE 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.
Rait Castle, enclosure 320m NE of stands on Unnamed Igneous Intrusion, Late Silurian To Early Devonian, bedrock that formed in the Early Devonian. The rock here is felsic-rock.