Rattray Castle (4)
So here we are, looking north up Loch Strathbeg, with Mormond Hill in the distance and the houses of Fraserburgh on the horizon, in almost the centre of the photo.  The Burgh of Rattray extended from the castle motte, past the farm and on at least as far as St Mary's Chapel, which is just off to the left.

The defensive features of the motte were very comparable to those found on other contemporary mottes.  They all tended for example, to use boggy ground and existing streams as defensive features where possible.  The Rattray motte was surrounded by a ditch on its open sides, 8m wide and 2m deep, with a stone revetting along the inner face.  Excavation found two post holes, which may possibly have been part of a palisade.

Few finds were attributable to the castle phase on the motte, suggesting a fairly brief occupation and it appears to have been abandoned by the early 13th century.  (Interestingly, if as seems probable it was build before 1209, it must have been built by or for Fergus Earl of Buchan, who was the last native Gaelic Mormaer of Buchan.  His daughter and heiress Marjory, Countess of Buchan, carried the earldom to her husband, William Comyn at that date.)

The question is though, why did they build a castle here in the first place?

Well if we put the sea back to where it was 800 years ago, it all becomes much clearer - I'll show you in the next photo!

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