Aberdeenshire HER - NK05NE0004 - CASTLE HILL, RATTRAY

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Main Details

Primary ReferenceNK05NE0004
NameCASTLE HILL, RATTRAY
NRHE Card No.NK05NE4
NRHE Numlink 21092
HES SM No. 3303
HES LB No. NULL
Site Form Documentary Record Only
Site Condition Destroyed
Details Site of castle. The Comyn family held a castle here in the early 13th Century, but after their defeat by Robert the Bruce, the Earldom of Buchan was despoiled. Simpson notes that it was one of the nine castles of the Knuckle (Northeast promontory of Buchan). The development of the castle in the late 12th or early 13th century began with a simple motte, which in the later 13th or early 14th century was redeveloped into a more permanent lordly residence, centred on a timber hall, subsequently replaced by a stone building. The hill is oval and natural with its top slightly dished. No artificial features are evident. A quantity of regularly-laid stones were removed circa 1734 and some silver coins have also been found. Nearly two-thirds of the castle mound, when excavated in 1985-9, revealed foundations of the main 13th Century phase with perimeter wall including two mural buildings and harbour-side entrance. The full extent of the main 14th Century building was a fairly impressive structure circa 20 m by 6.5 m. The interior was divided into three parts, a central room, and two smaller end rooms. The central room had a roughly circular stone footing which may have been for a brazier. There was also an indication of a possible forestair which taken into conjunction with the wall thickness suggests a two-storied structure. It appears possible that there may have been a timber structure prior to the stone one, as 13th Century French pottery was found below the sand and turf levelling of the mound top. Several pieces of window glass were found within the castle remains along with small personal ornaments such as buckles and a harness piece and part of an aquamanile. The castle was abandoned in the 15th century.
Last Update31/01/2024
Updated Bycpalmer
Compiler 
Date of Compilation 

Google Map for NK05NE0004

National Grid Reference: NK 0880 5796



Event Details

Event DateEvent TypeOASIS ID
1985 Excavation
1989 Excavation

Excavations and Surveys

Date MDate YTypeDurationDirector / OrganisationAuspicesFundExtent
 1985  J C MURRAY & H C MURRAY SDD 
 1989  J C MURRAY & H C MURRAY SDD 

Artefact and Ecofact

Date MDate YArtefact TypeFinderRecovery MethodConditionStorage LocationAccess No.
 1985 SILVER COINS  
 1985 WINDOW GLASS Excavation Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums  
 1985 POTTERY Excavation Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums  
 1986 BRONZE BUCKLE Excavation Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums  
 1985 HARNESS-PIECE Excavation Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums  
 1986 FINIAL TILES Excavation Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums  
 1986 RIDGE TILES Excavation Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums  

Ecofact

Samples
Palynology
Ecofact Notes

Monument Types

Monument Type 1Monument Type 2Monument Type 3OrderProbability
MOTTES REMAINS OFA90
CASTLES REMAINS OFB100
DITCHESDEFENSIVESITE OFC100
CAUSEWAYS SITE OFD100
PATHWAYS COBBLEDE100
DRAINSSTONEREMAINS OFF100
PITS  G100
OVENS REMAINS OFH100
KILNS REMAINS OFI100
HEARTHSSMELTING J100
POTTERY  K100
FORESTAIRS REMAINS OFL90
FRAGMENTSGLASSWINDOWM100
FRAGMENTSLEADWINDOWN100
TILESRIDGEGLAZEDO100
TILESFINIALGLAZEDP100
STONESARCHITECTURALCARVEDQ100
AQUAMANILES REMAINS OFR100
BUCKLES  S100
HARNESS-PIECESBRONZE T100