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Rough Hill is a medieval motte situated in Lanarkshire, Scotland, protected as a scheduled monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM4977. The earthwork rises from bedrock of the Strathclyde Group, sedimentary rocks formed during the Visean period, which provides the geological foundation for the monument. Mottes of this type typically date from the 11th to 13th centuries and represent a distinctive form of fortified residence common throughout Britain and northern France during the medieval period.
The motte at Rough Hill would originally have supported a timber palisade and wooden structures on its summit, serving as a stronghold for a local magnate or knight. The raised earthwork afforded both defensive advantage and visual dominance over the surrounding landscape. Such fortifications were often strategically positioned to control communication routes and exercise authority over adjacent territories.
The survival of Rough Hill's earthwork testifies to the durability of motte construction, despite the typically temporary nature of their timber superstructure. The protection of the site reflects its significance as evidence of medieval settlement patterns and feudal landholding in Lanarkshire, contributing to understanding of the region's administrative and social structures during the medieval period.
Rough Hill, motte is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM4977. View the official record →
Rough Hill is a medieval motte situated in Lanarkshire, Scotland, protected as a scheduled monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM4977.
Rough Hill, 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.
Rough Hill, 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 SM4977.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Castle Hill,motte (0.2 km), Laigh Mains, castle earthworks 125m North of Mains Castle (2.2 km), Busby Upper Mill, cotton mill 60m N of 1 Cartview Court (3.2 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Rough Hill, 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.
Rough Hill, motte stands on Strathclyde Group, bedrock that formed in the Visean. The rock here is sedimentary rock cycles, strathclyde group type.