Scheduled Monument
Motte, 860m ESE of BardrochwoodSM1126
Status: Designated
Documents
Where documents include maps, the use of this data is subject to terms and conditions (https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/termsandconditions).
The legal document available for download below constitutes the formal designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The additional details provided on this page are provided for information purposes only and do not form part of the designation. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within this additional information.
Summary
- Date Added
- 03/08/1937
- Last Date Amended
- 23/06/2026
- Type
- Secular: motte
- Local Authority
- Dumfries And Galloway
- Planning Authority
- Dumfries And Galloway
- Parish
- Minnigaff
- NGR
- NX 47009 65234
- Coordinates
- 247009, 565234
Description
The monument comprises the remains of a motte, a steep-sided artificial mound upon which the principal structures of a medieval (AD1000 – 1500) timber castle would have stood. The monument likely dates to the 12th – 13th centuries. The base of the motte is surrounded by a ditch and bank. It is located on a natural terrace to the northeast of Machars Hill in an area of pasture, at approximately 110m above sea level.
The monument survives as a large steep sided oval earth and stone mound 3.5m high by 28m north to south by 24m. The mound has a flat top measuring 12m north to south by 8.0m. A ditch, approximately 1m deep and 3.5m wide, encloses the base of the mound. The ditch is most visible on the south side along with traces of a bank.
The scheduled area is a clipped circle with a maximum diameter of 53m. It includes the remains described above and an area around within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map.
Statement of National Importance
The monument is of national importance as it makes a significant contribution to our understanding or appreciation of the past as the remains of a medieval castle, in the form of a motte, likely dating from the 12th to 13th centuries. It retains structural and other physical attributes, in particular it survives as a large steep sided oval mound constructed of earth and stone with a flat top and ditch and bank enclosing the base. It retains much of its original profile and continues to be a prominent, recognisable feature and indicator of the areas significance during the medieval period. Excavation of similar monuments has shown that evidence of timber structures, along with archaeological deposits containing artefacts and environmental remains can survive. The monument is a good example of a motte and is therefore an important representative example of this monument type.
As a centre of medieval lordship the monument has research potential which could significantly contribute to our understanding of historic land use and organisation in southwest Scotland during the medieval period. The monument also has the potential to help us better understand the impact of David I's (AD 1124-53) decision to adopt Anglo-Norman cultural and political practices, such as feudalism, in the decades following his reign. The National Record of the Historic Environment records 305 examples of mottes in Dumfries and Galloway and the monument can be studied in relation to these and other mottes across Scotland to better understand their chronology, forms, distribution and development at a local and national level.
References
Bibliography
No Bibliography entries for this designation
About Scheduled Monuments
Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.
We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.
Scheduling is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for monuments and archaeological sites of national importance as set out in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.
We schedule sites and monuments that are found to be of national importance using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)
Scheduled monument records provide an indication of the national importance of the
scheduled monument which has been identified by the description and map. The description and map (see ‘legal documents’ above) showing the scheduled area is the designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The statement of national importance and additional information provided are supplementary and provided for general information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within the statement of national importance or additional information. These records are not definitive historical or archaeological accounts or a complete description of the monument(s).
The format of scheduled monument records has changed over time. Earlier records will usually be brief. Some information will not have been recorded and the map will not be to current standards. Even if what is described and what is mapped has changed, the monument is still scheduled.
Scheduled monument consent is required to carry out certain work, including repairs, to scheduled monuments. Applications for scheduled monument consent are made to us. We are happy to discuss your proposals with you before you apply and we do not charge for advice or consent. More information about consent and how to apply for it can be found on our website at www.historicenvironment.scot.
Find out more about scheduling and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.