Castlehill Of Strachan
Motte (Medieval)
Site Name Castlehill Of Strachan
Classification Motte (Medieval)
Alternative Name(s) Castle Hill
Canmore ID 36201
Site Number NO69SE 1
NGR NO 6574 9210
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/36201
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- Council Aberdeenshire
- Parish Strachan
- Former Region Grampian
- Former District Kincardine And Deeside
- Former County Kincardineshire
Field Visit (1 May 1953)
Castlehill.
A natural sand and gravel kaim, which has been roughly circular, measuring 60-70 ft. in diameter across the flat top, and about 20 ft. high. A large segment has been quarried away on the SW. It may have been dressed to form a motte , but there is no evidence of this on the ground apart from the flat top and regular profiles of the sides. There is no sign of a ditch. Another less regular shaped kaim lies S. of the river, 300 yds. due E of Castlehill.
657921. Aberdeenshire xciv SE
Visited by RCAHMS (KS) 1 May 1953.
Desk Based Assessment (30 September 1971)
(NO 6574 9210) Castle Hill (NAT) Motte (NR)
OS 1:10,000 map, (1982)
NO69SE 1.01 NO 6574 9210 occupation site
A circular motte, about 25ft high, with traces of a low bailey to the N, the whole having been encircled by water defences within a wide loop of the river. Threatened by sand-quarrying in the vicinity.
Strachan was held by the Giffard family about 1200.
E Meldrum 1957.
An early castle of the Durward family. Originally a natural knoll, this mound was subsequently trimmed to suit military requirements. Only the earthworks survive.
F Wyness 1968.
Information from OS (ES) 30 September 1971
Two seasons of rescue excavations were carried out here (on behalf of the SDD (IAM)) in advance of serious erosion. The summit area was fully excavated to reveal the plan of a subrectangular timber structure, originally 12m N-S by 8m transversely; there was some evidence of repairs to this building. The S part of the summit, the most likely place for the entrance, has been totally destroyed. A line of primary post-pits, 4m apart, was found running around the motte-lip, contemporary with the building construction and the addition of large quantities of gravel levelling. This line was later replaced by a more conventional palisade. Three circular stone ovens, each with a re-used millstone for a base, were also found on the summit, cut into late midden deposits.
Four areas were opened around the base of the mound, to reveal a V-shaped ditch, 1m deep and 3m wide, running around the N, S and W sides. The ditch had been purposely backfilled with a single deposit, containing large amounts of disturbed midden material.
The E side is very low-lying, and would have been boggy enough to obviate the need for a ditch. Two small drainage channels were found in this area, along with a substantial dry-stone, revetting wall, 0.75m wide and 1.5m high, holding back loose gravels added to the slope.
It is likely that the site was strategically placed to guard a ford over the River Feugh, which flowed much closer to the S of the motte in the medieval period. Access to the motte was probably gained along the natural causeway which is visible in the SW. This causeway was tested, but no archaeological features were found. Any entrance features on the motte slope have been destroyed by quarrying and erosion.
A large number of artefacts were found, including over 400 sherds of pottery dating from the mid-13th into the 14th centuries. The construction of the summit structure can be fairly securely dated by an uncirculated silver halfpenny of Henry III, minted in the mid-13th century, found in the primary fill of the building construction trench. Personal objects of silver, bronze and iron were found, as well as large amounts of iron slag.
P A Yeoman 1980; P A Yeoman 1981.
(Location cited as NO 6575 9210: nominated as Site of Regional Significance).
Altitude: 80m OD.
[GRC/AAS ground photographic imagery and newspaper references cited].
NMRS, MS/712/35, visited 5 August 1980.
Field Visit (9 August 1972)
Castle Hill is a circular motte created by scarping and levelling a natural gravelly knoll. The W quadrant has been recently quarried away, but the surviving portion, 5.5m high, shows it has measured 42.0m over all in diameter with a flat top about 20.0m in diameter. The present land form suggests it was once nearly surrounded by bog with probably a dry access from the N. There is no trace of a bailey to the N as stated by Meldrum, although there was probably a gently shelving dry area around the whole periphery.
Resurveyed at 1:2500.
Visited by OS (A A) 9 August 1972.
Excavation (1980 - 1981)
Two seasons of rescue excavations were carried out here (on behalf of the SDD (IAM)) in advance of serious erosion. The summit area was fully excavated to reveal the plan of a subrectangular timber structure, originally 12m N-S by 8m transversely; there was some evidence of repairs to this building. The S part of the summit, the most likely place for the entrance, has been totally destroyed. A line of primary post-pits, 4m apart, was found running around the motte-lip, contemporary with the building construction and the addition of large quantities of gravel levelling. This line was later replaced by a more conventional palisade. Three circular stone ovens, each with a re-used millstone for a base, were also found on the summit, cut into late midden deposits.
Four areas were opened around the base of the mound, to reveal a V-shaped ditch, 1m deep and 3m wide, running around the N, S and W sides. The ditch had been purposely backfilled with a single deposit, containing large amounts of disturbed midden material.
The E side is very low-lying, and would have been boggy enough to obviate the need for a ditch. Two small drainage channels were found in this area, along with a substantial dry-stone, revetting wall, 0.75m wide and 1.5m high, holding back loose gravels added to the slope.
It is likely that the site was strategically placed to guard a ford over the River Feugh, which flowed much closer to the S of the motte in the medieval period. Access to the motte was probably gained along the natural causeway which is visible in the SW. This causeway was tested, but no archaeological features were found. Any entrance features on the motte slope have been destroyed by quarrying and erosion.
A large number of artefacts were found, including over 400 sherds of pottery dating from the mid-13th into the 14th centuries. The construction of the summit structure can be fairly securely dated by an uncirculated silver halfpenny of Henry III, minted in the mid-13th century, found in the primary fill of the building construction trench. Personal objects of silver, bronze and iron were found, as well as large amounts of iron slag.
P A Yeoman 1980; P A Yeoman 1981.
