The Mote of Urr

An instantly recognisable feature in the local landscape, the Mote of Urr is a massive earthwork dating from the middle 12th century.  It has connections with Fergus, Lord of Galloway who sought autonomy from Scottish rule and alternated his support between successive regimes north and south of the border to achieve this aim.

It is the remains of a motte and bailey castle fortification which would have had a strong wooden palisade on the lower circular ridge, and a square timber tower in the centre.  It probably featured in local land and power struggles in the 13th century, but by the 14th seems to have been abandoned.  It seems possible that the nearby River Urr once flowed on both ides of the motte, giving it an island position, with good views up and down the valley. 

It is often described as one of the most impressive and best preserved motte and bailey castle sites in Scotland...………………..