Archaeology Notes

Event ID 666691

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/666691

NJ35NW 10 34986 59555

(NJ 3500 5956) Gordon Castle (NR)

OS 6" map, (1959)

For (present) Gordon Castle (NJ 3506 5956) and related monuments, see NJ35NE 7.00.

Gordon Castle, now demolished, included as a central feature a 15th century tower which was a relic of the famous 'Bog O' Gight'. The adjoining parts of the castle included 16th and 17th century work.

R G Cant 1948; Minstry of Works 1960.

There has evidently been a stronghold in the Bog o' Gight, long drained and reclaimed, since at least the early 14th century but there is apparently no detailed information about it nor about the early history of Gordon Castle of which only fragments survive at NJ 3497 5955 partly reconstructed and incorporated in a modern work. Until recently it was the central piece of the huge 18th century mansion of Gordon Castle which is now split into three parts and only the E wing occupied. Barrel vaulting and traces of a circular stair can be seen in the N wall of the present building and according to local information the barrel vaulted kitchens survive intact.

Visited by OS (A A) 18 May 1971

L Shaw 1882; Information from 'The Gordon Book'.

Tower [NR]

OS 1:10,000 map, 1980.

Air photographs: CUCAP GQ 46-9, dated 16 July 1951, and AAS/92/03/S7/7-9, dated 2 July 1992.

[Air photographic imagery and bibliographic references cited].

Information from Aberdeenshire Archaeological Service, June 1997.

NMRS, MS/712/19 and MS/712/36.