Earthwork record MAB44285 - CUNNINGAR MOTTE
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Summary
The motte at Midmar was probably erected during the Norman penetration in the 12th-13th Century, with a wooden structure being built on top of the mound.
Protected Status/Designation
- Scheduled Monument 100: Church, setlement and (Cunningar) motte, Midmar
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NJ 7012 0592 (192m by 197m) Centred at - Polygon: Known Site Extent |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NJ70NW |
| Authority | Aberdeenshire |
| Civil Parish | Midmar |
Type and Period (2)
Full Description
The motte at Midmar was probably erected during the Norman penetration in the 12th-13th Century, with a wooden structure being built on top of the mound. This would have been the home or centre of the Norman overlord, or the Normanized Lord of the Manor. It was abandoned by the end of the 16th Century or possibly earlier. It now survives as a grass-topped mound, circa 10 m high with a depression in the top, 22 m in diameter. The old kirk of Midmar, called St Nidan's (NJ70NW0010), is situated east of the motte. The ground between the church and motte is likely to contain the remains of the associated early feudal settlement.
SIMPSON, WD, 1929, DEESIDE FIELD 4,23-24, 45 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1656.
SIMPSON, WD, 1929, PSAS 63(1928-9) 102-37, 111 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1654.
HISTORIC SCOTLAND, 2002, MIDMAR CHURCH, SETTLEMENT AND (CUNNINGAR) MOTTE: ARCHITECTS REPORT, Architects report (Bibliographic reference). SAB4409.
BOGDAN, N, 2008, EARLY CASTLES OF ABERDEENSHIRE (Bibliographic reference). SAB3811.
Aug 22 1984 , CO 36-37, CO 36-37 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB12359.
Feb 10 2011 , AAS/2011/1/DG3166-9, AAS/2011/1/DG3166-9 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB13269.
Feb 10 2011 , AAS/2011/1/DG3178, AAS/2011/1/DG3178 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB13191.
Feb 10 2011 , AAS/2011/1/DG3182-4, AAS/2011/1/DG3182-4 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB13270.
Feb 27 1996 , AAS/GR/96/CT01,251, AAS/GR/96/CT01,251 (Ground Photograph). SAB32957.
Jan 1 1977 , AAS/GR/77/CT111-112, AAS/GR/77/CT111-112 (Ground Photograph). SAB32497.
Jan 28 1997 , AAS/97/02/CT22-24, 33, AAS/97/02/CT22-24, 33 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB16604.
Jan 28 1997 , AAS/97/02/G3/21,22, AAS/97/02/G3/21,22 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB16603.
Jul 29 1975 , BVI 045-046, BVI 045-046 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB12358.
Mar 11 1996 , CNS 3,6, CNS 3,6 (Ground Photograph). SAB16292.
Mar 11 1996 , NQ 8-9, NQ 8-9 (Ground Photograph). SAB33464.
May 11 2005 , GR/05/CT37-43, GR/05/CT37-43 (Ground Photograph). SAB18264.
Nov 5 2004 , E 54949 CN, E 54949 CN (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB20522.
Other Statuses/References
- Authority: ASH;
- HES Scheduled Monument Number: 100;
- NMR Card Number: NJ70NW10;
- NRHE Numlink: 18524;
- Old Historic Environment Record Ref: NJ70NW0009;
External Links (2)
- https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM100 (Historic Environment Scotland Portal Link)
- https://www.trove.scot/place/18524 (trove.scot link)
Sources/Archives (17)
- --- SAB12358 Air-oblique Photograph: Jul 29 1975 . BVI 045-046. Black & White. BVI 045-046.
- --- SAB12359 Air-oblique Photograph: Aug 22 1984 . CO 36-37. Black & White. CO 36-37.
- --- SAB13191 Air-oblique Photograph: Feb 10 2011 . AAS/2011/1/DG3178. Digital. AAS/2011/1/DG3178.
- --- SAB13269 Air-oblique Photograph: Feb 10 2011 . AAS/2011/1/DG3166-9. Digital. AAS/2011/1/DG3166-9.
- --- SAB13270 Air-oblique Photograph: Feb 10 2011 . AAS/2011/1/DG3182-4. Digital. AAS/2011/1/DG3182-4.
- --- SAB16292 Ground Photograph: Mar 11 1996 . CNS 3,6. Colour Negative. CNS 3,6.
- --- SAB1654 Bibliographic reference: SIMPSON, WD. 1929. PSAS 63(1928-9) 102-37. 111.
- --- SAB1656 Bibliographic reference: SIMPSON, WD. 1929. DEESIDE FIELD 4,23-24. 45.
- --- SAB16603 Air-oblique Photograph: Jan 28 1997 . AAS/97/02/G3/21,22. Black & White. AAS/97/02/G3/21,22.
- --- SAB16604 Air-oblique Photograph: Jan 28 1997 . AAS/97/02/CT22-24, 33. Colour Transparency. AAS/97/02/CT22-24, 33.
- --- SAB18264 Ground Photograph: May 11 2005 . GR/05/CT37-43. Colour Transparency. GR/05/CT37-43.
- --- SAB20522 Air-oblique Photograph: Nov 5 2004 . E 54949 CN. Digital. E 54949 CN.
- --- SAB32497 Ground Photograph: Jan 1 1977 . AAS/GR/77/CT111-112. Colour Transparency. AAS/GR/77/CT111-112.
- --- SAB32957 Ground Photograph: Feb 27 1996 . AAS/GR/96/CT01,251. Colour Transparency. AAS/GR/96/CT01,251.
- --- SAB33464 Ground Photograph: Mar 11 1996 . NQ 8-9. Black & White. NQ 8-9.
- --- SAB3811 Bibliographic reference: BOGDAN, N. 2008. EARLY CASTLES OF ABERDEENSHIRE.
- --- SAB4409 Bibliographic reference: HISTORIC SCOTLAND. 2002. MIDMAR CHURCH, SETTLEMENT AND (CUNNINGAR) MOTTE: ARCHITECTS REPORT. Architects report.
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (0)
Record last edited
Mar 30 2026 2:21PM
