Archaeology Notes

Event ID 698346

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/698346

NS17NE 2 1796 7868

(NS 1796 7868) Castle Crawford (NAT) Moat (NR)

OS 6" map (1946)

"On the farm of Ardinslat there is...a green mound, an oblong square, about 90ft in length, by about 73 in breadth, raised about ten feet above the surrounding level; the fosse clearly traceable around it as well as the entrance, though the latter has been partly obliterated by the erection of some modern enclosures..." (No name is mentioned).

NSA 1845

"A remarkable mound, evidently of artificial construction, though no remains of any building have ever been found on it, and it is not supposed that a castle ever stood on it. Tradition accounts for the name by stating that a freebooter named Crawford had his residence here. It is surrounded by a moat still very distinct, and a stream of water at hand has evidently been used ot fill it. A modern wooden erection has been placed on it to contain the arms, etc., of a number of Riflemen whose practice ground is near at hand."

Name Book 1867

This once rectangular mound has had the western part removed during construction of the golf-course. No entrance is now visible. The surrounding ditch is best preserved on the south side where the scarp is 2.1m high, and the counter-scarp 1.5m. Evidence of an outer bank on the south and east sides of the ditch have been confused by the construction of golf-greens. The remains of a buttressed wall, 8.0m long x 0.4m thick x 3.1m maximum height, because they contain a fireplace and chimney, could have been part of the wooden building noted by ONB (Name Book 1867).

If not they must be the remains of a later building of unknown purpose. The name 'Crawford' is not a local one. No further information was obtained during investigation.

Re-surveyed at 1/2500.

Visited by OS (EGC) 13 March 1963

Square motte.

E J Talbot MSS.