Description

The monument consists of a medieval motte standing near the S bank of the River Dee; it is about 7m high on the landward side and has been shaped from a natural hillock. On its W side, at its base is a broad ditch. The summit of the motte measures about 41m by 30m. It is probably the House of Durris mentioned as a Royal residence in the 13th century and may be the castle burnt by Montrose in 1645. The area to be scheduled measures 70m ENE/WSW by up to 80m WNW/ESE and is bounded on its W and S sides in part by a fence and in part by a track.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as a well preserved example of a medieval motte and for its potential contribution to our understanding of Royal residences of the 13th century and the control of E Scotland in the 13th century and later.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NO 79 NE 1.

Bibliography:

Henderson, J. A. (1892) Annals of Lower Deeside, being a topographical, proprietary, ecclesiastical and antiquarian history of Durris, Drumoak and Culter, Aberdeen, 1-2.

Jervise, A. (1861a) Memorials of Angus and the Mearns: being an account historical antiquarian and traditional of the castles and towns visited by Edward I and of the barons, clergy and others who swore fealty to England in 1291-6: and also of the Abbey of Cupar and the Prior of Roseneath, Edinburgh, 101-4.

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. 11, (Kincardine), 172-3.

Watt, J. C. (1914) The Mearns of old, Edinburgh, 154.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland