MHG8444 - Dunskeath Castle
Summary
No summary available.
Type and Period (2)
- RINGWORK (Early Medieval to 21st Century - 561 AD to 2100 AD)
- (Alternate Type) MOTTE AND BAILEY (Early Medieval to 21st Century - 561 AD to 2100 AD)
Protected Status
Full Description
Dunskeath Castle (NR). (Site of) Moat (NR).
OS 6" map, Ross-shire, 2nd ed., (1907)
Dunskeath Castle was motte-castle fortified by King William the Lion in 1179. Hugh Miller (1835), says, "We can still trace the moat of the citadel, and part of an outwork which rises towards the hill, but the walls have sunk into low grassy mounds, and the line of the outer mote has long since been effaced by the plough". In recent years almost levelled mound and shallow depression of ditch were still discernible, but site is now subjected to military occupation (Mackenzie 1950).
H Miller 1835; W M Mackenzie 1950;
Visible on RAF APs CPE/Scot/UK/223, 4140-1: 27 June 1947.
The surviving remains consist of 2 concentric semi-circular ditches with inner ramparts, terminating at each end in S on steep naturally defensive slopes. The outer ditch, c.7m wide and 1.5m deep, is truncated in W by ploughing but its track is visible on RAF APs. Its rampart has been mutilated by quarrying and only about 16m (9m wide and 1.5m high) survives in good condition. Whole of inner ditch, c9m wide and 2m deep, is fairly well preserved, but its inner rampart is considerably reduced, probably by erosion. No entrance is evident through defences, though one was visible 1794 (OSA). The irregularly-shaped enclosed area, (a natural spur) is partly occupied by a concrete gun emplacement, which has mutilated interior. The earthwork remains cannot be classified as a motte but are undoubtedly remains of a defensive medieval ring work of some strength.
Resurveyed at 1:2500.Visited by OS (A A) 24 August 1972.
The castle was Scheduled in 1974.
The castle was re-scheduled in 2016 to better protect the surviving remains. <1> <2>
Sources/Archives (10)
- --- SHG1131 Text/Publication/Article: Yeoman, P A. 1988. 'Mottes in Northeast Scotland', Scot Archaeol Rev Vol. 5 1988, p.125-33. Scot Archaeol Rev. 125-33. 131, no. 97.
- --- SHG1306 Text/Publication/Article: Mackenzie, W M. 1950. 'Old Cromarty Castle', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 82 1947-8, p.60-8. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 60-8. 60-1.
- --- SHG1892 Text/Publication/Volume: Anderson, A O. 1922. Early sources of Scottish history, A.D. 500 to 1286. Vol. 2, 301-2.
- --- SHG2517 Text/Publication/Volume: Miller, H. 1835. Scenes and legends of the north of Scotland, or the traditional history of Cromarty. 46.
- --- SHG2606 Text/Publication/Volume: Sir John Sinclair (ed.). 1791-9. The statistical account of Scotland, drawn up from the communications of the ministers of the different parishes. Vol. 13, 20.
- --- SHG2670 Text/Report: RCAHMS. 1979. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. The archaeological sites and monuments of Easter Ross, Ross and Cromarty District, Highland Region. . 29, No. 247.
- --- SHG2689 Text/Publication/Volume: Barrow, G W S and Scott, W W (eds.). 1971. Regesta Regum Scottorum, volume 2: the acts of William I, King of Scots, 1165- 1214. 292, 454.
- --- SHG3139 Text/Publication/Article: Stell, G. 1986. Architecture and society in Easter Ross before 1707. SHG1943. 99-132. 102.
- <1> SHG27658 Text/Designation Notification/Scheduled Monument: MacIver, M.. 2016. Changes to the schedule of Monuments 27/09/2016. Historic Environment Scotland. Digital.
- <2> SHG27690 Text/Designation Notification/Scheduled Monument: Historic Environment Scotland. 2016. Amended entry in the Schedule of Monuments: SM3319: Dunskeath Castle. Historic Environment Scotland. Digital.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NH 8070 6898 (140m by 140m) (2 map features) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NH86NW |
| Geographical Area | ROSS AND CROMARTY |
| Civil Parish | NIGG |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Investigations/Events (0)
External Links (2)
- http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM3319 (Online designation description (Historic Environment Scotland))
- https://canmore.org.uk/site/15235 (View HES Canmore entry for this site)
Comments and Feedback
Do you have any more information about this record? Please feel free to comment with information and photographs, or ask any questions, using the "Disqus" tool below. Comments are moderated, and we aim to respond/publish as soon as possible.