Motehill, Cumnock

NS52SE 3 5755 2069.

(NS 5755 2069) Mote Hill (NR)

OS 6" map (1908)

Mote Hill (NAT)

OS 6" map (1967)

Warrick and the ONB state that the Mote Hill was a place where courts were held. Surrounded on three sides by the Lugar Water, it is 50 or 60ft high, 600ft in length, and 50 to 100ft broad. The summit is crowned by a ridge 4 or 5ft wide. Steven considers that this peninsula was probably the site of a fort.

J Warrick 1899; Name Book 1856; H J Steven 1899

This feature is a long, narrow, natural ridge. No traces of any defensive works can be seen on it.

Visited by OS (JLD) 18 June 1954

As previously described. RAF APs show nothing significant on this wooded peninsula.

Visited by OS (JRL) 23 October 1981

NS 575 206. An archaeological assessment and watching brief were conducted at Mote Hill (NMRS NS52SE 3) on the banks of the Lugar in January and February 1999, in advance of landscaping and general environmental improvement. One trench was hand-excavated across the supposed medieval ditch near the summit of the hill. Watching briefs were maintained elsewhere on the site where new steps and a bench were laid. A topographic survey of the hill and surrounding river valley and floodplain was undertaken and all excavation areas located on the resultant map. No finds or significant archaeological layers were encountered. However, a stone setting measuring 0.25 x 0.25m internally was recorded near the summit of the hill; this feature was not further investigated as it lay outwith the area to be disturbed. (Guard 634).

Sponsors: City Design Co-operative, East Ayrshire Woodlands.

K Brady 1999