A distinctive conical earthwork overlooking Hawick and the Slitrig Water from the Loan, a quarter-mile (0.5 km) southwest of the town centre, Hawick Mote (or Motte) now lies within Moat Park, surrounded by public housing and next to Drumlanrig St. Cuthbert's Primary School. Constructed in the 12th C. by the Lovel family, the mound once supported a wooden fortlet. There was once a ditch around its base and the settlement (or bailey) probably lay on the uphill side. The ditch was excavated in 1912 by Borders archaeologist A.O. Curle (1866 - 1955) who discovered numerous sherds, a bone needle and a King Henry II silver penny, the latter providing the dating evidence. The finds are in the Hawick Museum, except the coin which is held by the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.
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