Oblique aerial view centred on the remains of the castle, taken from the NW.

Description Oblique aerial view centred on the remains of the castle, taken from the NW.

Date 11/8/1994

Collection RCAHMS Aerial Photography

Catalogue Number SC 1681082

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of C 29822 CN

Scope and Content Aerial view of Tantallon Castle, East Lothian This aerial view from the north-north-west, taken in 1994, shows the clifftop setting of the castle, with the 14th-century curtain wall protecting the inner courtyard. In front of the wall is the inner ditch, partly rock-cut, and to the right of the bailey (courtyard) is the outer ditch. Outside that is an earthwork ravelin (angled rampart resembling an arrowhead). In the bailey is a dovecot of 'lectern' type, that is, with single-pitched roof. This castle was a stronghold of the Douglas family, who had stormy relations with the Scottish monarchs. In 1529 it was surrendered to James V, who repaired and strengthened it. It was besieged by General Monk in 1651. It remained a residence until about 1699, and thereafter was used as a quarry. Now in the care of Historic Scotland, it is open to the public. Tantallon Castle stands on a promontory, surrounded on three sides by cliffs 30m high. The fourth side is protected by a massive curtain wall, built in the later 14th century, and altered in the 16th century, and by outer and inner dry ditches with a high inner bank and a low outer one. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/1681082

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap