a substantial earth mound, 20 metres across, is known as the little carleton fort or motte with a circular ditch and a once palisaded bank built some centuries prior to the stone castle stands across from little carleton farm, damaged by the construction of the lane to the village. it was also held by the cathcarts. standing close to the castle the motte may have served as the moot hill where the laird's barony court met. no place name evidence for a gallows hill has been noted.