Sites and Monument Record: Seabegs Motte (SMR 322)

Description
Rectangular mound abutting the N of the Antonine Wall ditch, and bordered on 3 sides by a ditch 5.2m wide by 1.8m deep. Measures 30m W-E by 20m N-S. Find from 1933 excavation: unstratified pottery vessel rim sherd dated to 12th century. Other smaller fragments of bone and pottery also found in course of excavations, along with a piece of iron slag.

Object detail

Site type
Site
motte
Site status
Scheduled
Site history notes
Mottes are usually attributed to the 12th century. That at Seabegs is unusual in being rectangular rather than round in shape. However, this was probably the result of its location and the utilisation of the ditch of the Antonine Wall as its southern defence. The mound itself measures 30m W-E by 20m N-S. Excavation in 1933 recovered an unstratified rim sherd of 12th/13th century date. Other fragments of pottery and bone were also found, along with a piece of iron slag.
In 1543 a sasine was given at "the Mot of Seybeggis called the Turchill". This suggests that there was no manorial house in the barony at the time and that the old motte was still seen as the principal locus - a place were legal transactions were finalised.
A map of 1847 (RHP6129) shows the parcel of land north of the Antonine Wall as part of the lands of Bonny Mill.
By and large the feudal superior of Seabegs did not live within the barony. The names recorded by Reid include:
• John Porteous 1443
• Alexander Straton 1478
• Alexander Livingston of Dunipace 1497
• Earl of Callendar
• John Brown of Mungal 1672
• David Cunningham 1739
• Laurence Dundas of Kerse 1764
Site conservation date
12th Century
Site grid ref
NS 824 798
Conservation status
Medieval

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