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Latitude: 57.6436 / 57°38'37"N
Longitude: -2.0012 / 2°0'4"W
OS Eastings: 400024
OS Northings: 861524
OS Grid: NK000615
Mapcode National: GBR P8DJ.CVP
Mapcode Global: WH9NG.748M
Entry Name: Trefor Hill, motte
Scheduled Date: 29 June 2004
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Source ID: SM11141
Schedule Class: Cultural
Category: Secular: motte
Location: Rathen
County: Aberdeenshire
Electoral Ward: Fraserburgh and District
Traditional County: Aberdeenshire
The monument comprises a motte (an artificial castle mound) of Medieval date, visible as a grass-covered mound.
The monument is situated in a prominent position on the south-facing slope of Trefor Hill at about 20m O.D. It comprises a modified oval natural knoll, with artificial scarping evident on the northern side, where it stands up to 4m high. The summit is flat and is enclosed by a denuded earth and stone bank, enclosing an area c 25m NW-SE by 22m transversely. The width of the bank varies from 0.5m wide on the northern side, where it is defined by edge-set quartz orthostats, to c. 1.5m wide on the southern side, where it is best defined. Two rectangular depressions are present within the centre of the summit and may relate to previous exploration of the summit.
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 irregular in shape, with maximum dimensions of 35m NW-SE by 33m transversely as marked in red on the accompanying map extract. It is defined on the northern and eastern sides by the modern fence, and on the western side by the stone field boundary, all of which are themselves excluded from the schedule.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to an understanding of medieval fortified settlement and economy.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Bibliography
The monument is recorded by RCAHMS as NK06SW 12.
References:
Bogdan N and Bryce I B D 1991, 'Castles, manors and 'town houses' survey', DISCOVERY EXCAV SCOT, 26.
Jervise A 1875-9, EPITAPHS AND INSCRIPTIONS FROM BURIAL GROUNDS AND OLD BUILDINGS IN THE NORTH-EAST OF SCOTLAND WITH HISTORICAL, BIOGRAPHICAL, GENEALOGICAL AND ANTIQUARIAN NOTES, Edinburgh, Vol. 2, 63.
NSA 1845, THE NEW STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF SCOTLAND BY THE MINISTERS OF THE RESPECTIVE PARISHES UNDER THE SUPERINTENDENCE OF A COMMITTEE OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THE CLERGY, 15v, Edinburgh, Vol. 12, Aberdeenshire, 294.
ORDNANCE SURVEY NAME BOOK (ABERDEENSHIRE), Original Name Books of the Ordnance Survey Book No. 76, 71.
Ordnance Survey 1874 First Edition Map (Aberdeenshire), 6 inches to 1 mile.
Ordnance Survey 1903 Second Edition Map (Aberdeenshire), 6 inches to 1 mile.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
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