Doune of Invernochty facts for kids
The Doune of Invernochty is an ancient castle in Scotland. It was built a very long time ago, in the 12th or early 13th century. Today, you can mostly see its earthworks, which are the remains of its walls and defenses made from earth. Experts say it's one of the best examples of a Norman earthwork castle in Scotland.
It's located in a beautiful area called Strathdon in Aberdeenshire. This spot is special because it's where two rivers, the River Don and the Water of Nochty, meet. The castle stands between the villages of Bellabeg and Strathdon. The name "Doune of Invernochty" comes from Gaelic words meaning "fort at the meeting of the Nochty river."
What is the Doune of Invernochty?
The Doune of Invernochty is a type of castle called a motte. A motte is a large mound of earth, often with a tower or building on top. This motte was actually a natural hill that was changed a lot to make it stronger.
It rises about 12 meters (around 40 feet) from the bottom of a ditch. The top of the mound is a large flat area, about 80 meters long and 40 meters wide. This whole area was once surrounded by banks, ditches, and dams that held water, like a big moat! This water system was drained in 1823.
Who Built This Ancient Castle?
The Doune of Invernochty was likely built by the Earl of Mar, a powerful leader from that time. It was constructed after a period called the Davidian Revolution. This was when King David I introduced new ideas about how land and power were organized in Scotland, similar to the Norman system of feudalism. This meant building strong castles like the Doune of Invernochty.
What Can You See Today?
Even though most of the castle is gone, you can still see some interesting things. On top of the motte, there are remains of buildings. These include parts of a very thick outer wall, which was about 2 meters (6.5 feet) thick.
You can also see the foundations of an old church. This church was used by local people as their parish church until the 17th century. It's amazing to think that people were worshipping there hundreds of years ago!
During the Second World War, a special observation post was built on the Doune. This shows that even centuries later, the high ground of the motte was still useful for keeping watch.
The Doune of Invernochty is now a scheduled monument. This means it's a very important historical site that is protected by law.
