The Bass and Little Bass, motte-and-bailey castle

The castle consists of two earthen mounds, with the western mound serving as the motte at 12 meters high and the eastern mound as the bailey.

David, Earl of Huntingdon, constructed this fortress in the 1170s to establish control over the Strathdon region near the confluence of rivers Don and Urie.

The site stands as a central element of Scottish medieval architecture, demonstrating the Norman influence on fortress construction in northeastern Scotland during the 12th century.

Located within a cemetery along the B993 road in Aberdeenshire, the monument remains accessible throughout the day and requires no entrance fee.

Archaeological excavations in 1883 revealed an oak gangway and pottery fragments, providing evidence of the site's medieval wooden fortifications and daily activities.

Location: Aberdeenshire

Location: Inverurie

GPS coordinates: 57.27553,-2.36464

Latest update: March 13, 2025 12:34