Motes and Forts PDF Print E-mail
Written by Maggi Kaye   
Monday, 15 December 2008 16:58
Motes or mottes are defensive earthworks, usually dating from Norman times, typically with a high fence surrounding the top of it, and sometimes with a wooden tower inside the fence. These were frequently associated with Baileys – built on lower ground, also fenced and with living quarters therein. Usually both were surrounded by deep defensive ditches making it very difficult to attack. There are a number of these earthworks to be found in the Ken valley.

Dalry Mote (NX 618812)
Situated on the east bank of the river commanding what was a crossing point in ancient times, and is now a suspension bridge. It was surrounded by a ditch on the side away from the river. There is no evidence of a bailey. The height is irregular, being about 7.6m on the north-west side and 4.5m on the south. The top measures around 34 by 31m, and has been disturbed but possible “stances” can be made out on the east and south-west sides.

Balmaclellan Mote (NX 652793)
This mote sits on the hill side on the north side of the village. it is described a being a truncated cone shape and is rather small being 27 m in diameter at the base and 11m in diameter on top and 5.1 m high. It was surrounded by a ditch at one time, but this has been ploughed out, and the mote has been damaged by livestock over the years.

Kirkland Mote, Parton (NX 697698)
Kirkland mote is just south of the church, on the river side of the old railway line, hence the name. It is also a truncated cone shape and is 155.5 m in circumference, 7 m high and the top measures 16.5m by 14.5. It appears to be entirely made of earth as rabbits have made significant inroads into it over the years. It is described as having a well define trench surrounding it and is now overgrown with trees.

Boreland Mote, Parton (NX 693709)
This is a natural hillock that has been strengthened with stones, standing on the north side of a bend in the burn in Boreland Glen. In the 19th century is was described as having two ditches of considerable depth, though now only one ditch is mentioned with ramparts. It is 27m by 23m across the top.

Crofts Mote, Crossmichael (NX743659)
Crofts mote on the south side of the village is an irregular oval shape and parts of it may have been faced with stones at one time. It is 90.5m by 56m. At one time it had two terraces, but only one remains now. On the summit there is a raise platform about 45 cm in height built of stones. There are slight ramparts at the north and south ends, but anything from the central parts has disappeared. It was described by Cole in 1892 as “This conspicuous and large structure is one of the half dozen prominently known and frequently mentioned Galloway motes”.

Merkland Hill, Parton (NX 680737)
This place which is hidden away up in the hills is though to have been an early Iron Age settlement. It has been constructed abutting the hillside with two low ramparts to create a horseshoe shape with a ditch cut from the rock enclosing it. There is evidence of some stone work in part of the interior which is otherwise feature less except to a natural rock outcrop at the rear of the enclosure.

Stroanfreggan Fort, Carsphairn (NX 637920)
This is an Iron Age fort built on the top of Stroanfreggan Craig with double stone walls on the west and north sides and a perimeter wall on the south-east side. The walls have been robbed down to the foundations. The inner wall is described as being about 5m thick, the outer about 3m. The interior measures 50m by 30m and entirely featureless.

Carminnows Fort, Carsphairn (NX 606907)
Most of this site has been destroyed by the raising of the water level in the Water of Deugh for the hydro power scheme and the construction of the fish farm and the site has been descheduled as a result. It appears to have been a promontory fort with triple ramparts beside what is now Loch Kendoon, but originally the Deugh ran through a gorge that guarded one side of the fort. The ramparts were up to 24m thick and the interior measured about 55m by 46m.

Mote of Urr (NX 815646)
This is not in the Glenkens, but situated in the Urr valley between Haugh of Urr and Dalbeattie and is a great example of a proper motte and bailey, and said to be the largest and best preserved in Britain. The true scale of this site is unfortunately difficult to appreciated from the ground, particularly just passing by on the road. Known as the King’s mote it was supposedly gifted to a woman named Sprotte by Robert Bruce for her loyalty and hospitality to him. Built between 1130 and1160, destroyed in 1174 and rebuilt higher, it comprised a central tower surrounded by a heavy palisade reinforced with stone and probably had turrets against the inner sides, surrounded by an impressive ditch. It also had an outer courtyard. It was been widely excavated between 1951 and 1953.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 16 December 2008 10:33