Description

The monument comprises a motte of medieval date, visible as a grass-covered mound with nineteenth-century burials and a stone cross on its summit.

The monument comprises a circular flat-topped mound, measuring about 25m in diameter at the base and about 13m by 11m at the summit. It stands to a height of about 8m. Although the summit has been disturbed by the insertion of nineteenth-century graves and a stone cross, the remains of structures and deposits associated with the medieval occupation may be expected to survive.

Mottes are artificial mounds which formed the foundations for timber castles from the eleventh to the thirteenth centuries. They were generally accompanied by baileys (enclosed courtyards for ancillary buildings), although there is no visible trace of one at this site.

This motte was probably the caput of the Hays of Errol, who received the lands from William I in 1178-82. The 'Mote' of Errol is on record in 1507, and in 1546 there is a reference to the manor and fortalice, 'lie mote', of Errol.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related material may be expected to be found. It is circular with a diameter of 70m, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract. The scheduling does not include the 19th century burial-vault and stone cross, and also excludes all graves of nineteenth-century and later date.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to our understanding of medieval high status settlement and economy.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NO 22 SW 2.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland