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

The Bass and Little Bass is a two-mound medieval fortress, with the western mound rising about 12 meters high and serving as the motte, while the eastern mound forms the bailey. Both earthen structures are clearly visible and shape the landscape of the cemetery where they stand.

David, Earl of Huntingdon, built this fortress in the 1170s to extend his control over the Strathdon region. The location was strategic, positioned at the confluence of the rivers Don and Urie.

The site demonstrates how Norman fortress-building techniques spread into Scotland and shaped the landscape of medieval power. The earthen mounds served as visible reminders of control over the surrounding lands and people.

The site sits within a cemetery grounds alongside the B993 road and is accessible during daylight hours at no cost. You can visit freely, though it is worth checking locally about any restrictions on climbing or walking the mounds themselves.

Excavations in 1883 uncovered a wooden boardwalk and pottery fragments, offering insights into medieval construction methods and everyday life at the site. These early finds reveal that the fortification included timber structures, not just earthen mounds.

Location: Aberdeenshire

Location: Inverurie

GPS coordinates: 57.27553,-2.36464

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:08