Scheduled MonumentsScotlandTarbolton,motte
Medieval · Motte

Tarbolton,motte

Scotland
HES SM4769
Period
Medieval
Site type
Motte
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Tarbolton Motte is a medieval motte-and-bailey castle situated in Ayrshire, Scotland. The earthwork comprises a substantial mound typical of Norman-influenced fortification design, likely constructed during the twelfth or thirteenth century. Such mottes served as defensive strongholds for local lords during the medieval period and would originally have supported a timber palisade and possibly a wooden or stone tower on its summit. The site reflects the pattern of feudal settlement and military architecture established in south-western Scotland during the High Middle Ages.

Tarbolton,motte is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM4769. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Tarbolton,motte?

Tarbolton Motte is a medieval motte-and-bailey castle situated in Ayrshire, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM4769.

What period does Tarbolton,motte date from?

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

Who is responsible for protecting Tarbolton,motte?

Tarbolton,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 SM4769.

What other scheduled monuments are near Tarbolton,motte?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Enterkine,barrow 550m ENE of (3.6 km), Barnweill Church (3.7 km), Barnweill,homestead moat (3.7 km).

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