Ancient Monuments

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Leanachan, motte 250m south west of

A Scheduled Monument in Caol and Mallaig, Highland

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Coordinates

Latitude: 56.8628 / 56°51'46"N

Longitude: -4.9242 / 4°55'27"W

OS Eastings: 221833

OS Northings: 778411

OS Grid: NN218784

Mapcode National: GBR GB6L.562

Mapcode Global: WH2GS.BRDR

Entry Name: Leanachan, motte 250m SW of

Scheduled Date: 23 February 1998

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Source ID: SM7642

Schedule Class: Cultural

Category: Secular: motte

Location: Kilmonivaig

County: Highland

Electoral Ward: Caol and Mallaig

Traditional County: Inverness-shire

Description

The monument consists of the remains of a small motte.

Built in an area of boggy ground, there does not appear to have been an associated bailey but there are clear remains of a bank running round the foot of the motte. This was probably the base for a palisade. The bank is not visible to the E of the motte due to erosion, either from the river or from damage during forestry operations. There appears to have been some minor quarrying of the motte on its E side.

The bank around the foot of the motte describes a circle roughly 40m in diameter. The area to be scheduled is 60m in diameter centred on the motte, to include the motte, its outer bank and a surrounding area which may retain evidence for its construction and use, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

This monument is of national importance because it is a well preserved example of a small motte in an area not renowned for this type of defensive structure. Although parts of the monument have been damaged, most notably by forestry and some quarrying, the monument still has the potential to add to our knowledge of medieval society and defences in the Highlands. The fact that the monument lies in an area of waterlogged ground is especially significant since archaeological remains, especially organic materials, may be far better preserved here than at other comparable sites.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography
No Bibliography entries for this designation

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

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