Find Spot record MAB45918 - BUTTER STROUP

An assemblage of 115 artefacts from six fields in the parish of Rothes from around Rothes Castle (NJ24NE0003), dating from between circa 1100-1900 AD, recovered through metal detecting in 2024.

An assemblage of 115 artefacts from six fields in the parish of Rothes from around Rothes Castle (NJ24NE0003), dating from between circa 1100-1900 AD, recovered through metal detecting in 2024. The assemblage comprises 66 lead shots, ten lead spindle whorls, eight silver hammered coins, eight copper-alloy dress objects, three items of horse furniture, thirteen miscellaneous copper-alloy items, six miscellaneous lead items, and one silver lace tag.

Of the notable finds, the first are five toys of different forms, comprising a copper-alloy ape, a lead-alloy horse and rider which fit each other, a copper-alloy spinning top with numbers surviving, and a lead gun butt.

The second notable find is an incomplete copper-alloy swivel ring, dating to circa 1200-1500 AD. The swivel is C-shaped in form, cast with a broadly oval section, thinning in its centre, and broadening to a zoomorphic head at each terminal, the heads are heavily worn, but they appear to have been zoomorphic, formed with two deep, incuse lines either side each, possibly delineating eyes and lips, and a central incuse line. A broken ring appears between the two heads, expanding very slightly as two shanks form one head, which would originally have allowed this fragment to connect to a shank, allowing it to act as a swivel, likely for a hunting dog lead. This ring is slightly off-centre.

The third notable find is one enamelled harness pendant of uncertain heraldry. This is blazoned 'or, a cross unknown' as the gilt field is still visible, though the colour of the enamel cannot be reconstructed. The assemblage represents a cross-section of the history of Rothes Castle, from its foundations some time in the 12th Century AD to its demolition in 1660 AD, with five toys also included relating to the later use of the area for the planned town of Rothes. These remains are almost entirely domestic, relating to hunting and riding activity, personal dress, currency, and cooking. Claimed as Treasure Trove (TT130/24).

Record last edited

Jul 10 2026 12:31PM