Druchtag Motte today consists of just a tall, steep mound and associated ditch, but it was once the site of a formidable timber stronghold.
Mottes are a kind of medieval earthwork castle, built both for defence and as symbols of lordship. The first mottes in Scotland were built in the early 1100s, during the reign of David I (1124–53). This type of residence and defence was largely replaced by stone castles from the 1200s on.
Druchtag would have been built almost entirely from earthwork and timber. Today we can still clearly see its steep, 6.5m high mound and a 2m deep ditch.
Little is known of Druchtag’s history. We don’t know who built the motte, or when. It’s never been excavated, and there are no records about who held the land in the 1100s. However, it was probably built during the transition of the ancient independent ‘kingdom’ of Galloway into part of the medieval kingdom of Scotland – an important period in the region’s history.
There is a rope handrail that allows you to ascend and descend the steep pathway to the top of the motte. Parking is on the quiet lane beside the motte
How to get there from The Old Smiddy: Mochrum. 8.9 miles (14 mins) via A747. What3words: relishes.ending.boot
