Kilmarnock, Dean Castle

NS43NW 28 4375 3934.

(NS 4375 3934) Motte: The mound lying between Dean Castle (NS43NW 4) and the river is basically natural, but there are signs of artificial levelling on top. The majority of the odd hummocks on the ground S of this are due to attempts at coal mining in the early 18th century, but there are traces of a ditch immediately at the foot of the mound. It seems fairly safe to deduce that these artificial features are traces of the fortification forming the first Kilmarnock Castle.

There is no documentary evidence prior to a charter of 1316, when the lands of Kilmarnock were granted to Robert Boyd by Robert I. Accordidng to Pont it had earlier been owned by the de Soules and before that by the Lockharts or Loccards, who are known to have held other estates from the late 12th century. It is possible that the estate of Kilmarnock dates back to the same period.

J Hunter 1976; J Dobie 1876; H Fenwick 1976

NS 4373 3932. In 1977-8, Hunter dug two trenches on this knoll. The first, on the elongated top. proved entirely negative, and the second, into the base and side of the hill, showed no evidence of a surrounding ditch or any occupation, but indicated a possible artificial soil build up at that point. It is thought that an old water-course around the W side of the knoll gave rise to the ditch description.

Information from J Hunter, Dick Institute, Kilmarnock, 3 July 1982.

There is no visible evidence of artificial work on this wooded knoll. Mr Hunter's trenches are still discernible.

Visited by OS (JRL) 5 July 1982