Druchtag Motte, Wigtownshire, United Kingdom

Druchtag Motte is a classic example of a Norman motte, or castle mound. The history of motte is practically unknown. There are no indications of an encircling bailey as you might expect of a typical Norman fortification, but from the nature of the site, it seems reasonable to suggest a 12th-century date. It appears that the motte was never converted to a stone castle, as many Norman fortifications were.

Druchtag Motte may have been erected by an Anglo-Norman lord, but it could also have been built by a local Celtic lord who was imitating the style of the incoming Normans. Druchtag falls within the Barony of Mochrum of Druchtag which was held for many years by the McCulloch clan. It is one of over 60 similar mottes throughout Dumfries and Galloway and was one of the first historic sites in Scotland to be placed under government care.

The motte is extremely easy to find. It lies immediately north of Mochrum village on a minor road off the A747. There is a small layby next to the site, but the road is narrow and it is perhaps easier to park along the road in the village and walk up the road, a matter of no more than 100 yards.

Prehistoric and archaeological sites in United Kingdom

User Reviews

Tristan Altenhoff (7 months ago)
Great piece of Scottish history!

Nadia Taylor (21 months ago)

Andrew “screwie2u” crewe (2 years ago)
What an incredible view

daftcatdarcy (3 years ago)
Historic Scotland have a great sense of humour. You need to leave the car in the village and walk there. There's a heavy duty rope nicely tied at the top to help you climb the 75% incline and then abseil back down. Good view at the top. I do think they could put in a chute at the other side to get back down.

christopher hartley (4 years ago)
Slip sliding away.... Steep an slippy when wet, fun!

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright mixteri

Historic Site of the week

Bengtskär Lighthouse

Towering 52 meters above the sea, Bengtskär lighthouse is the tallest one in Scandinavia. The building started in in 1905 after the shipwreck of S/S Helsingfors and was completed in 1906. The lighthouse was designed by architect Florentin Granholm. On December a special petrol lantern, designed and built in Paris, was brought to Bengtskär and installed atop the tower.

German fleet bombarded Bengstkär in the First World War in 1914. Since the Gulf of Finland was heavily mined, it was not until 1919 that the surrounding seas were declared safe for shipping, that the light was lit again.

After the war the military value of Bengtskär increased as part of the defence system of independent Finland. In Second World War (1941) Soviet Union made a suprise attack to island. After a bloody battle, the small Finnish garrison emerged victorious. Intermittent repairs to the facility continued during the post-war period.

Druchtag Motte

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Bengtskär Lighthouse