Archaeology Notes

Event ID 668764

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/668764

NJ62NE 3 68659 25175

See also NJ62NE 48.

(NJ 6865 2518) Harthill Castle (NR)

OS 6" map, (1959)

Harthill Castle is the roofless shell of a Z-plan tower-house with the remains of a barmkin wall including the gatehouse. According to MacGibbon and Ross (1915-61) and the SDD it was reputedly built in 1638, but Simpson (1937) and the ONB (1867) give the date as 1601.

D MacGibbon and T Ross 1887-92; SDD 1960-; W D Simpson 1937; Name Book 1867.

Harthill Castle is as described and illustrated by MacGibbon and Ross. The present tenant of Torries recalls seeing a stone dated AD 1601, but this is now lost. Restoration completed 1978.

Information from OS, June 1983.

(Classified as Site of Regional Significance; situated on a gentle slope at an altitude of 110m OD). Z-plan tower-house with remains of a barmekin wall, including the gatehouse. Tall main block, four storey and garret in height, with a square tower projecting to the NE and a round tower to the SW; corner turrets at the angles with dressed quoins; well-provided with gunloops. The entrance in the main re-entrant angle has a moulded doorway with deep socket for draw-bar; empty panel space above; basement vaulted; ornate gunloops to guardroom; dome-vaulted cellar in foot of round tower; large arched fireplace in kitchen with its own shot-hole; stone sink and drain. The castle was surrounded by a ditch, of which there is now no trace; it was a ruin but is now fully restored.

[Air photographic imagery listed].

NMRS, MS/712/35.

Harthill Castle is an inhabited tower-house and was not visited during the course of the Strathdon survey.

Information from RCAHMS (JRS), 17 February 1998.