Torchastle
Motte (Medieval)
Site Name Torchastle
Classification Motte (Medieval)
Alternative Name(s) Tor Castle
Canmore ID 16105
Site Number NJ15SW 3
NGR NJ 1297 5263
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/16105
- Council Moray
- Parish Dallas
- Former Region Grampian
- Former District Moray
- Former County Morayshire
NJ15SW 3 1297 5263.
(NJ 1297 5263) Tor Chastle (NAT) Motte (NR)
OS 1:10,000 map, (1976)
A motte, the original Tor Castle (NJ15SW 1), in the form of a gravel mound, lies on Torchastle Farm. The mound has been artificially separated from the rest of the gravel bed. It is now 60' from E to W and 40' from N to S, with a flat top and a few weather-beaten trees.
R Douglas 1928; 1936.
Tor Chastle, a motte, is situated in a pasture field at the edge of the flood plain of the River Lossie. It consists of a gravel mound separated from the adjoining hillock by a ditch (the spoil from which has been used to heighten the mound to form the motte) with a slight outer rampart. Access from the motte to the east end of the hillock is by a narrow causeway, which crosses the ditch at its northern extremity.
The motte has a flat oval top (20.0m E to W by 12.0m N to S) now occupied by an Observer Corps building.
Surveyed at 1/2500.
Visited by OS (R D) 26 August 1965.
