Biggar
Motte (Medieval), Coin(S) (Roman)
Site Name Biggar
Classification Motte (Medieval), Coin(S) (Roman)
Alternative Name(s) Gillespie Moat
Canmore ID 48647
Site Number NT03NW 19
NGR NT 0394 3774
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/48647
- Council South Lanarkshire
- Parish Biggar
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Clydesdale
- Former County Lanarkshire
NT03NW 19 0394 3774.
(NT 0394 3774) Mote (NR)
OS 6" map, Lanarlshire, 1st ed. (1858).
This large artificial-looking mound, referred to by Irving as the Moat-knowe, and by Hunter as the Moat or Moathill, is situated at the W end of Biggar and commands a fine view of the surrounding country. The New Statistical Account (NSA) describes it as measuring 120 paces round at the base, 54 at the top, and 36' high, and adds that the laws may have been administered from here, and it also seems to have been used as a beacon tower. Irving adds that the ground around it has been much altered by building and road making, so any external defences may have disappeared.
Various Roman coins have been found here; the last, of Vespasian, is now owned by the Rev W Johnston, Limekilns (W Hunter 1867).
D Christison 1890; G V Irving and A Murray 1864; NSA(J Christison) 1845.
The remains of a motte standing 6.0m high with a sub- rectangular flat top measuring 34.0m E-W by 20.0m. There are slight unsurveyable traces of a possible ditch around the base.
Revised at 1/2500.
Visited by OS(RD) 25 July 1972.
This motte is named "Gillespie Moat" by the Department of Environment.
Information from Typescript list of Scheduled Monuments 1977 unpaged.
