Lawthorn Mount Traditional Cache
Lorgadh: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it.
Regards
Karen
Lorgadh - Volunteer UK Reviewer
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This is a straightforward cache hidden in a band of trees near to but not on Lawthorn Mount.
The origins of Lawthorn Mount are uncertain, however local legend holds that this man made structure was once used as a court or moot hill where in medieval time community meetings would be held and justice done. If true this may well have contributed to the name "Lawthorn" which is also the name of the neighbouring farm land and buildings. The reverse is possible however with the mound being assumed as a moot hill due to the name. Considering the number of other such moot hills in the local area (such as the "Girdle" which was level around 1860 but which gave it's name to Girdle Toll in Irvine) it seems more likely to have been a moot hill too.
Despite this some academics disagree and instead believe the mound to be a prehistoric cairn or barrow. This is apparently due to its profile and stoney composition. Either way noone really seems to know for sure. It is however registered as a "possible barrow" with the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland.
A final theory is that both the above may be true with the mound beginning it's life as a cairn or barrow in prehistoric times and then being reused to form a moot hill at a later date. To further confuse things there is a surrounding embankment which is suggestive of at "Motte and Barrow" fortification. One explanation for this is that it could have again been reused during the Wars of Independence in the 11th and 12th centuries AD.
Although this appears to be quite an large mound, the official "Lawthorn Mount" is merely the area at the top of the hill and it appears to be only this central area which was registered as a Scheduled Monument. An unofficial dig carried out around 50 years ago by the Glasgow Archaeological Society and a number of other surveys by boffins in wooly jumpers have apparently revealed no finds but hopefully you can change that by finding this Geocache!
Today, Lawthorn is the name given to this whole area of Irvine and is much larger than the original lands of Lawthorn farm. Irvine has grown in recent decades and what was a scattering of farms and cottages until the 1970s has now become part of the greater Irvine New Town.
Note : the cache is not located on the Mount itself.
Parking is available near to the site at Littlestane Hall (N55° 37.868' W004° 37.830') or at Lawthorn Farm which is now an Indian Restaurant.
For more information on moot hills visit the following Wikipedia article (visit link)
Please replace cammo well.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Haqre n snyyra gerr.