Archaeology Notes

Event ID 721618

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/721618

NX06SE 5 0845 6339.

(NX 0845 6339) Castle (NR) (Site of)

OS 6" map (1938)

The Agnews of Lochnaw acquired lands here in 1429 and built, soon after, just behind the site now occupied by the present farmhouse (of Innermessan) a fortalice. Last inhabited circa 1687, the castle was sold to the Earl of Stair in 1723 AD, used as a cavalry barracks and then allowed to decay; thereafter it was used as a quarry and the entire steading of Balyett (NX 08 62) has been built from its stones.

B M'Conchie 1932

No trace now remains of this castle, the site shown on OS map is now occupied by a hay-barn. There is nothing to suggest that the steading of Balyett has been built from its stones; in fact Miss Douglas, Innermessan, states that the steading of Innermessan is built from the stones from the old castle.

Visited by OS (WDJ) 11 February 1963

There are no visible remains at Innermessan of the Agnews' tower-house, which was abandoned after 1723 on its acquisition by the Earl of Stair. Stones from the tower are said to have been used in the construction of Balyett Steading. The Agnews had been in possession of Innermessan since 1429.

RCAHMS 1987, visited (PC) November 1985