Site type MOATED SITE
Canmore ID 42873
Site Number NS43SW 8
NGR NS 4068 3011
Council SOUTH AYRSHIRE
Parish CRAIGIE
Former Region STRATHCLYDE
Former District KYLE AND CARRICK
Former County AYRSHIRE

Canmore Mapping
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Archaeological Notes

NS43SW 8 4068 3011.

(NS 4069 3011) Earthwork (NR)
OS 6" map (1969)

In 1857, this feature was described (Name Book 1857) as a square 'camp' (allegedly Roman). Three sides were defined by a ditch, 6ft deep, while the fourth merged with a steep natural slope. The internal area was level with the surrounding ground. A standing stone, about 3ft by 2ft and 4ft high, was also noted, a short distance SE.
Paterson, who gives a similar description, considers this to be a law or seat of justice associated with Barnweill Castle (see NS43SW 10: it is more probable that this was the castle site).
J Paterson 1863

At this site is a rectangular mound, 25.2 by 11.6m, surrounded on three sides by a well-defined ditch. Its surface in now broken but has been quite level formerly. Its appearance tends to support the idea of a castle site. It is not unlike a motte in view of its commanding situation on the edge of an escarpment. No traces of building foundations were found, nor was there a causeway across the ditch.
Visited by OS (JD) 15 May 1954

Homestead moat.
SDD 1979

This is doubtless the rectangular motte near Craigie Castle noted by Talbot.
E R Talbot 1975

As described, and well preserved. Talbot is probably correct in describing this as a rectangular motte as opposed to it being a homestead moat or castle earthwork. Broad rig and furrow terminates well short of the ditch on the SW.
Resurveyed at 1:2500.
Visited by OS (JRL) 22 June 1982

This earthwork is situated on the edge of an escarpment 300m WSW of Barweill farmsteading. It is sub-rectangular on plan (24.2m by 12m) and is enclosed on the WSW, SSE and ENE by a substantial rock-cut ditch up to 7m broad and 2m deep; the upcast has probably been used to raise the level of the interior, which bears some signs of disturbance. These remains are probably to be identified with the 'Old Castle of Barnwyil' depicted by Pont. About 40m to the SE, and occupying the summit of the hill, there are the remains of banks and other earthwork features, probably no more than the result of quarrying (NS43SW 10).
Pont 1654; Name Book; J Paterson 1863-6; J Smith 1895; G Stell 1985; RCAHMS 1985, visited (IMS) April 1985

Notes and Activities

Blaeu, J (1654) Theatrum Orbis Terrerum, sive Atlas Novus, Vol.5; Scotice et Hibernia, Amsterdam
Page(s): 'Coila Provincia'

Historic Buildings and Monuments, Scotland (1979) A list of ancient monuments in Scotland, Edinburgh
Page(s): 86

Ordnance Survey (Name Book) Object Name Books of the Ordnance Survey (6 inch and 1/2500 scale)
Page(s): Book No.18, 41 Held at RCAHMS Ref