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 (13 months ago)
Great piece of Scottish history!

Nadia Taylor (2 years ago)

Andrew “screwie2u” crewe (3 years ago)
What an incredible view

daftcatdarcy (4 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 (5 years ago)
Slip sliding away.... Steep an slippy when wet, fun!

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Christian Lauw

Historic Site of the week

Wieskirche

The Pilgrimage Church of Wies (Wieskirche) is an oval rococo church, designed in the late 1740s by Dominikus Zimmermann. It is located in the foothills of the Alps in the municipality of Steingaden.

The sanctuary of Wies is a pilgrimage church extraordinarily well-preserved in the beautiful setting of an Alpine valley, and is a perfect masterpiece of Rococo art and creative genius, as well as an exceptional testimony to a civilization that has disappeared.

The hamlet of Wies, in 1738, is said to have been the setting of a miracle in which tears were seen on a simple wooden figure of Christ mounted on a column that was no longer venerated by the Premonstratensian monks of the Abbey. A wooden chapel constructed in the fields housed the miraculous statue for some time. However, pilgrims from Germany, Austria, Bohemia, and even Italy became so numerous that the Abbot of the Premonstratensians of Steingaden decided to construct a splendid sanctuary.

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

Wieskirche