Earthwork record MAB45175 - DEER DYKE
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Summary
Remains of deer park and dyke associated with Kincardine Castle (NO67NE0008), a royal hunting castle since the 10th century.
Protected Status/Designation
- Scheduled Monument 7882: Kincardine Deer Dyke and settlements north of Burn of Garrol
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NO 6494 7869 (1330m by 651m) Linear Feature - Polygon: Known Site Extent |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NO67NW |
| Authority | Aberdeenshire |
| Civil Parish | Fordoun |
Type and Period (2)
Full Description
Remains of deer park and dyke associated with Kincardine Castle (NO67NE0008), a royal hunting castle since the 10th century. This part of the dyke would appear to be built later than the western part which may be of 10th century date. This part is first referred to in 1264 as the 'New Park' under construction by Alexander III. The Park is enclosed by the remains of a very high, thick fence of turves. On the north there is a well-defined raised bank. On the west it is intermittently traceable. On the east part ran with the Devilly Burn, the south side has been completely destroyed by cultivation. Most of the dyke is a simple ditch/dyke but the section on NO67NW (NO67NW0002) has internal and external ditches and an additional stretch at NO 6636 7809 has probably been constructed as a safeguard against possible erosion at that location. Unless the whole work was palisaded, it seems as if it was used as a means of turning the deer during the chase rather than containing them, as there are gaps where it crosses stream valleys. The extension to the north side is identical to the main work, but may not have been finished as it terminates abruptly on a gentle slope at NO 656 789. From this point a smaller bank runs downhill, but this is part of a later field boundary.
Period Notes
First referred to as the "New Park" in 1264-6.
ORDNANCE SURVEY, 1871, Ordnance Name Book, No9(1863) 109 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1360.
CAMERON, AC, 1899, HISTORY OF FETTERCAIRN, 68 (Bibliographic reference). SAB214.
Jan 22 1981 , AAS/81/03/S2/4-6, AAS/81/03/S2/4-6 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB15432.
Jan 22 1981 , AAS/81/3/CT25, AAS/81/3/CT25 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB18849.
Jul 26 1989 , JC 1-13,17-19, JC 1-13,17-19 (Ground Photograph). SAB33702.
Author unknown, n.d., EXCHEQUER ROLLS OF SCOTLAND, 1264-1359, 21 (Bibliographic reference). SAB464.
RCAHMS, n.d., S KINC LIST, No275 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1512.
Other Statuses/References
- Authority: ASH;
- HES Scheduled Monument Number: 7882;
- NMR Card Number: NO67NE10;
- NRHE Numlink: 36062;
- Old Historic Environment Record Ref: NO67NE0040;
External Links (2)
- https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM7882 (Historic Environment Scotland Portal Link)
- https://www.trove.scot/place/36062 (trove.scot link)
Sources/Archives (7)
- --- SAB1360 Bibliographic reference: ORDNANCE SURVEY. 1871. Ordnance Name Book. No9(1863) 109.
- --- SAB1512 Bibliographic reference: RCAHMS. n.d.. S KINC LIST. No275.
- --- SAB15432 Air-oblique Photograph: Jan 22 1981 . AAS/81/03/S2/4-6. Black & White. AAS/81/03/S2/4-6.
- --- SAB18849 Air-oblique Photograph: Jan 22 1981 . AAS/81/3/CT25. Colour Transparency. AAS/81/3/CT25.
- --- SAB214 Bibliographic reference: CAMERON, AC. 1899. HISTORY OF FETTERCAIRN. 68.
- --- SAB33702 Ground Photograph: Jul 26 1989 . JC 1-13,17-19. Black & White. JC 1-13,17-19.
- --- SAB464 Bibliographic reference: Author unknown. n.d.. EXCHEQUER ROLLS OF SCOTLAND. 1264-1359, 21.
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (0)
Record last edited
Apr 9 2026 10:38AM
