7.2.8 Assembly Places

Perth and Kinross has some of Scotland’s most important medieval assembly sites. Scone was the traditional place where Scottish kings were inaugurated, and there is evidence for royal assemblies here as early as the 10th century (Anderson 1973, 251; see also early medieval chapter of PKARF). The low oval mound known as the Moothill (MPK3308) has long been recognised as a focal point for medieval ceremonial gatherings. Geophysical survey and limited excavation work in the 2000s significantly enhanced our understanding of this feature. Radiocarbon dates from the ditch around the Moothill suggests that the mound was constructed, or at least raised in height, in the 10th or 11th century (O’Grady 2018, 142–3). Meanwhile, a series of hexagonal stake-holes indicated that a fence was constructed around the Moothill in the 14th or 15th century – arguably a sign of increasing efforts to control access to the mound (O’Grady 2018, 143). The interventions at Scone also identified the foundations of the abbey church which stood to the south of the mound and may have helped to define the outdoor gathering place. Further archaeological investigation at Scone should be a priority, if a suitable opportunity arises.

Plan of Scone showing the location of Moot Hill ©️ HES

During the 13th and 14th centuries Scone was a frequent meeting place for the Scottish Parliament (MacDonald 2011, 30). However, from the late 14th century onwards it was increasingly replaced by Perth as a parliamentary venue. Indeed, during the early 15th century Perth was the commonest location for the Scottish Parliament. The parliaments in Perth often met at the burgh’s Dominican friary (MacDonald 2011, 30). Although research has already been undertaken regarding the Dominican site, further exploration of its governmental and ceremonial uses, and of the way in which parliamentary gatherings affected the wider burgh of Perth, would be of considerable interest.

Image of a stone sculpture made of two vertical slabs holding a large rectangular stone to resemble a table or stool. The stones are placed on concrete slabs in the middle of a grassy area. A large palace can be seen in the background.
Stone of Scone replica at Scone Palace ©️ Gunther Tschuch (CC BY-SA)

There is also evidence of a significant number of local courts and assembly places in Perth and Kinross. In particular, there are a number of mounds which appear to have formed the focal point for the administration of justice. Many of these mounds probably had early medieval or prehistoric origins. Yet in some places they continued in use into the 17th century. For example, the mound at Stayt of Crieff (MPK838) was supposedly the site of the court of the Earls of Strathearn and their stewards as late as 1665. While some research has been undertaken regarding the sites of outdoor courts, further interdisciplinary research involving field work, place-name evidence, and written sources would be desirable (O’Grady 2008 [SET1]). By the 15th and 16th centuries courts and public gatherings were increasingly moving to indoor venues. Further research into the buildings used would be helpful. It is likely that written sources will play a key role in identifying the locations of late medieval courts.

Purpose built civic spaces became more common in Scotland towards the end of the Middle Ages, leading to the construction of tolbooths or town halls. Research into the history of Perth’s tolbooth should be a priority. There is written evidence for a tolbooth at Perth in the 15th century, but little is known about its medieval appearance (Records of the Parliaments of Scotland 1445/1). The medieval tolbooth at Perth may have been demolished in the late 17th century when the burgh council ordered the construction of a new ‘Council House, Clerks’ Chamber, and Pack House’ (Fittis 1885, 272–3).

HER / Canmore IDPlace (Site and Locality)National Grid ReferenceState of Remains / DescriptionArchaeological Investigations
MPK490/ 25030Tom a’ Mhoid, FearnanNN 7222 4449Wooded knoll with a tradition of courts and gallows.None
MPK838/ 25434Stayt of Crieff (also known as Court Hill), Crieff  NN 8669 2066A Bronze Age burial mound, removed in 19th century, said to have been where the Earls of Strathearn and their stewards held court until 1665. Site documented in 1358.Antiquarian investigation in 1860 when mound was levelled.
MPK2435/ 27140Mute Hill (also known as Caputh Church), Caputh  NO 0822 4008Hill said to have been where ‘justice was administered in former times’. The old parish church at Caputh was located on this hill.Field visit by RCAHMS in 1989.
MPK3074/ 27922Preaching How (also known as Castle Law), Abernethy  NO 1839 1548Flat natural shelf. May possibly be the Preaching How described in the 1860 OS Namebook.  Field visit by RCAHMS in 1996.
MPK5119/ 32008Market Knowe, Longforgan  NO 3122 3058Probably the site of the barony court of Longforgan in the 14th century. It is also claimed that Longforgan market took place here until 1633.Topographic and geophysical surveys (EPK1221 and 1298).
MPK5474/ 28191Moothill (also known as Boothill and Scone Palace Policies), Scone  NO 1140 2663A flat-topped artificial mound which was a royal assembly and inauguration site.Geophysical surveys and trial trenching (EPK635 and 801).
MPK328/ 24854Court Knoll, Dalginross  NN 77712105Former mound, opened in early 19th century when a cist and cremation discovered. Named ‘Court Knoll’ on a plan of 1802. Levelled around1940. It may be the same site as MPK331 Dunmoid.Antiquarian investigation in early 1800s.
MPK331/ 24857Dunmoid (also known as Roundel and Muirend), DalginrossNN 7802 2126Prehistoric stone circle. Name Dunmoid translates to ‘hill of judgement’ or ‘hill or mound of assembly’.Emergency Survey by RCAHMS in 1942.
MPK177/ 24498Baron Court, KiltyrieNN 6300 3662Remains of a possible barrow. Traditionally said to be the site of a baron court.Field visit by RCAHMS 2005.
MPK2327/ 27025Loak Court Hill, BankfootNO 0773 3300Turf covered barrow named ‘Court Hill’. Traditionally the site of judicial courts prior to 1745.Emergency Survey by RCAHMS in 1942.
MPK3954/ 28970Castlehill, ClunieNO 3111 7440A natural knoll upon which a motte, and later a castle, was built. The mound was a place of royal assembly and the administration of justice by the 12th century (M Hall 2015a).Field visits and survey by RCAHMS 1979 & 1989.   Geophysical survey and limited excavations by University of Aberdeen 2018–9
Table 7.6. Moot and Assembly Sites in Perth and Kinross (data from the Historic Environment Record and O’Grady 2018).

Research Priorities

PKARF Agenda 7.30: Further enhancing our understanding of the nationally important ceremonial site at Scone and its relationship with the wider abbey complex

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PKARF Agenda 7.31: Using interdisciplinary approaches to study the locations of courts and lower-level places of assembly, (such as the meeting places of incorporated trades,) in medieval Perth and Kinross. 

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Research Questions

PKARF Qu 7.61: What evidence is there of political and ceremonial gathering places in Perth and Kinross in the Middle Ages?

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How does the use and layout of such sites evolve? To what extent were other spaces (eg monastic buildings) adapted for political purposes?
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PKARF Qu 7.62: What can we learn about the evolution of the ceremonial site at Scone over the course of the Middle Ages?

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PKARF Qu 7.63: To what extent is there a shift from outdoor to indoor courts during the 15th and 16th centuries?

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PKARF Qu 7.64: What can we learn about the medieval history of the tolbooth in Perth?

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