Dalmellington Mote
Dalmellington Mote
Probably one of the least celebrated historic sites in Ayrshire the Norman mote, or castle mound in the historic town of Dalmellington deserves a bit more recognition. Not much is known about the castle history. It seems very likely that the site was used as early as Neolithic times - indeed the name Dalmellington translates loosely from the Gaelic as 'meeting place at the mound with a Motte'.
The mote we see today was probably built around 1200, under the lordship of Thomas Colville Le Scott, and it would have served as a seat of local government; a place to administer justice and impose authority over Scott's domains.
The mote describes an almost perfect cone, some 60 feet around at the base and rising up to a broad trench, or terrace and then to a wide, flat top about 60 feet above ground level. The terrace is broadest to the north, and joins to a sloping rampart to the west. A timber palisade would originally have stood atop the summit, protecting a wooden tower.

At the base of the mote was a large open area, or bailey, where secondary buildings for animals, storage, and the lord's retainers would have stood, enclosed within a similar outer fence. You can still see traces of the outlying bailey ditch, but all traces of building work are long gone. The motte is extremely well preserved and that is the most interesting feature of the site.
Visiting
I'm nuts about history, but I had no idea the Dalmellington Mote existed. I actually came to the town to visit the museum, which as luck would have it, was closed. Wondering what on earth to do with myself, I discovered a town information sign and map on the market place, and to my surprise found a description of a Norman castle motte just a few hundred yards from the square. Serendipity, I suppose, but my goodness, I do wish the mote was more highly publicised because its actually quite impressive!
You really do get a good idea of how a traditional 12th century castle mound looked, how the motte was formed, and how the system of earthworks defended the site. The information panel at the base of the mote is actually quite good,with an artist's impression of the site and an overview of its development. I climbed to the top of the mote and generally poked about for 10 minutes. And that's all it will really take, as there is no vestige of stonework to see, just the shape of the earthen mound to give you an idea of how it might have looked during the medieval period.

About Dalmellington Mote
Address: High Street, Dalmellington, Ayrshire, Scotland, KA6 7QZ
Attraction Type: Castle
Location: Open site, just off the market square. Plenty of free parking around the town centre.
Website: Dalmellington Mote
Location map
OS: NS481058
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express


NEARBY HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS

Heritage Rated from 1- 5 (low-exceptional) on historic interest

Loch Doon Castle - 6.7 miles (Castle) Heritage Rating

Dumfries House - 9.8 miles (Historic House) Heritage Rating

Maybole Collegiate Church - 11.5 miles (Historic Church) Heritage Rating

Robert Burns Birthplace Museum - 12 miles (Museum) Heritage Rating

Crossraguel Abbey - 12.9 miles (Abbey) Heritage Rating

Burns House Museum - 13.4 miles (Museum) Heritage Rating

Bachelors' Club - 13.6 miles (Museum) Heritage Rating

Sorn Castle - 13.7 miles (Historic House) Heritage Rating



Nearest Accommodation to Dalmellington Mote:

Nearby accommodation is calculated 'as the crow flies' from Dalmellington Mote. 'Nearest' may involve a long drive up and down glens or, if you are near the coast, may include a ferry ride! Please check the property map to make sure the location is right for you.

Self Catering   -   B&Bs/Guesthouses   -   Hotels

Nearest Self Catering Cottages

Craigview, Straiton
Craigview, Straiton - 6.2 miles
Straiton, Strathclyde
Sleeps: 4
Stay from: £257.00 - 617.00
Thistle Cottage, Cumnock
Thistle Cottage, Cumnock - 10.4 miles
Cumnock, Strathclyde
Sleeps: 4
Stay from: £217.00 - 528.00
The Barn at Daldorch, Mauchline
The Barn at Daldorch, Mauchline - 12.1 miles
Mauchline, Strathclyde
Sleeps: 6
Stay from: £247.00 - 639.00

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Nearest Hotels

Turas-Mara Guest House Ayr
Turas-Mara Guest House - 12.9 miles
Ayr, Strathclyde
Stay from: £45.00
Woodcroft Self Catering Holiday Cottages Ayr
Woodcroft Self Catering Holiday Cottages - 13 miles
Ayr, Strathclyde
Stay from: £95.00
Grange View B&B Ayr
Grange View B&B - 13 miles
Ayr, Strathclyde
Stay from: £65.00

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Show bed and breakfasts near Dalmellington Mote

Nearest Bed and Breakfasts

Sunnyside Ayr
Sunnyside - 12.5 miles
Ayr, Strathclyde
From: £69.00
Greenan Lodge Ayr
Greenan Lodge - 12.6 miles
Ayr, Strathclyde
From: £45.00
Coila Guest House Ayr
Coila Guest House - 12.9 miles
Ayr, Strathclyde
From: £70.00

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Nearest Tourist Information Centre ('as the crow flies')

Ayr
Tourist Information Centre
22 Sandgate
Ayr
Strathclyde
Scotland
KA7 1BW
Tel: 01292 290 300
Email: ayr@visitscotland.com
Web: https://www.visitscotland.com/destinations-maps/ayrshire-arran/
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