Scheduled MonumentsScotlandRockhall Mote, motte-and-bailey castle
Medieval · Motte-and-bailey castle

Rockhall Mote, motte-and-bailey castle

Scotland
HES SM707
Period
Medieval
Site type
Motte-and-bailey castle
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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

Overview

History & significance

Rockhall Mote is a motte-and-bailey castle located in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, representing a common form of Norman fortification established in the medieval period. The monument consists of the characteristic earthwork features typical of this castle type: a raised mound or motte and an adjoining bailey or defended enclosure. Such structures were widely constructed from the eleventh century onwards in Scotland and northern England as instruments of lordly control and defence during the medieval period. The site survives as an earthwork monument in the landscape, preserving evidence of medieval settlement patterns and feudal authority in the region.

Rockhall Mote, motte-and-bailey castle is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM707. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Rockhall Mote, motte-and-bailey castle?

Rockhall Mote is a motte-and-bailey castle located in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, representing a common form of Norman fortification established in the medieval period. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM707.

What period does Rockhall Mote, motte-and-bailey castle date from?

Rockhall Mote, motte-and-bailey castle dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a motte-and-bailey castle. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Rockhall Mote, motte-and-bailey castle?

Rockhall Mote, motte-and-bailey castle 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 SM707.

What other scheduled monuments are near Rockhall Mote, motte-and-bailey castle?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Hound Hill, cairn (2.1 km), Torthorwald Castle (2.7 km), Range Castle, fort (3.2 km).

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