Earthwork record MAB45266 - CASTLE HILL, STRACHAN

Remains of a motte.

A circular motte created by scarping and levelling a natural gravel knoll, the west quadrant of which has been recently quarried. It lies within a loop in the River Feugh. This was probably a hunting lodge of the Gifford Family who held the forest of Strachan in the 13th century.

Excavation in 1981 revealed post pits of a building circa 9 m by 12 m on the top of the mound with a palisade around the edge. Ovens were found which had re-used mill stones as their bases. The remains of a V-shaped ditch, 1 m deep and 4 m wide, was found around the base of the motte. A large quantity of pottery of 13th-14th Century date was found along with some bronze and silver jewellery. There is some evidence to suggest that the site was probably set on fire sometime in the 14th Century and was never re-occupied. Burnt post remains were found, both collapsed and in situ, with stones on the summit showing signs of extreme burning. The ditch around the base was almost certainly intentionally back-filled. The excavation also revealed clear evidence of a Medieval presence on the site. A total of 13 pieces of flint were recovered, of which seven were flaked pieces comprising a microburin, a snapped blade, a retouched piece, and four tertiary flakes.

Geomorphological investigation coupled with aerial photography has enabled the reconstruction of the thirteenth-century landscape around the motte.

AAS/80/1/CT4-11 (1980), AAS/80/1/CT4-11 (1980) (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB18683.

Author unknown, , PRESS & JOURNAL, 05/08/80 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1416.

Author unknown, , PRESS & JOURNAL, 23/09/78 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1416.

Author unknown, , PRESS & JOURNAL, 29/07/1981 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1416.

MELDRUM, E, 1957, DEESIDE FIELD 2 SER,No2, 20, 19 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1233.

RCAHMS, 1957, MARGINAL LANDS SURVEY, 657921 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1513.

DOE, 1967, A M's SCOT, 26 (Bibliographic reference). SAB363.

WYNESS, JF, 1968, ROYAL VALLEY, 40, 305 (Bibliographic reference). SAB2012.

YEOMAN, P, 1981, DES, 14-5, 14-5 (Bibliographic reference). SAB2147.

YEOMAN, P, 1984, EXCAVATIONS AS CASTLEHILL OF STRACHAN, 1980-1, 315-64 (Bibliographic reference). SAB2130.

KENNEY, J, 1993, THE BEGINNINGS OF AGRICULTURE IN GREAT BRITAIN: A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT (Bibliographic reference). SAB2784.

Apr 1 1977 , COLOUR PRINT, COLOUR PRINT (Ground Photograph). SAB15549.

Jan 1 1977 , AAS/GR/77/CT108-110, AAS/GR/77/CT108-110 (Ground Photograph). SAB32495.

Jan 1 1977 , AAS/GR/77/CT114-119, AAS/GR/77/CT114-119 (Ground Photograph). SAB32496.

Jan 1 1981 , AAS/GR/81/CT69-75,77, AAS/GR/81/CT69-75,77 (Ground Photograph). SAB32580.

Jul 18 1981 , COLOUR PRINT, COLOUR PRINT (Ground Photograph). SAB15550.

Mar 2 1995 , AAS/95/02/CT7, AAS/95/02/CT7 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB19599.

Mar 2 1995 , AAS/95/02/G4/1-3, AAS/95/02/G4/1-3 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB15680.

Mar 2 1995 , AAS/95/02/G4/5-10, AAS/95/02/G4/5-10 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB15681.

Mar 3 1999 , AAS/99/05/CT8-10, AAS/99/05/CT8-10 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB17224.

Mar 3 1999 , AAS/99/05/G6/6,7, AAS/99/05/G6/6,7 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB17223.

Record last edited

Jun 22 2026 10:38AM