Mote of Mark, Scotland and Arthurian Legend

The Mote of Mark is a hill in south Dumfries and Galloway above the village of Rockcliffe and looks out over Rough Firth.

This fort at Mote of Mark was occupied from the 5th to 7th centuries which is during the King Arthur time frame. Excavations in 1913 and 1973 unearthed a large, circular timber hut and evidence of metalworking. A fairly sophisticated manufacturing set up seems to have existed with iron being brought in from the Lake District and jet from York in order to produce jewelry. Imported pottery from Bordeaux and glass from the Rhineland were found here.

The primary defences of Mote of Mark consisted of stone and timber walls, and there was a timber gate for the main entrance on the southern slopes. The outer wall shows evidence of vitrification, in other words extreme heat has caused stones to fuse together. This could have been due to the Angles attacking and burning the place -- Angle runic inscriptions were found at the site. Though it is possible that the walls were purposely vitrified to strengthen them.

The only thing connecting this fort at Mote of Mark with the King Arthur legend appears to be the name, and its period of occupation

Scottish Arthurian Sites