View from roof of Town House to South.

Description View from roof of Town House to South.

Date 20/6/1995

Catalogue Number C 48413 CN

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copies SC 800094

Scope and Content Rothesay Castle, Bute, Argyll & Bute, from east This view from the east, taken in 1995, shows the circular curtain wall, with bases of the south-east (left) and north-east towers. On the right is the east wall of the forework, as restored in 1900 by the 3rd Marquess of Bute, with a copper roof. To the left of the forework is the 'Pigeon Tower', so-called because it was converted into a dovecot. Rothesay was taken by Cromwellian forces in the Civil War, who are said to have dismantled it. What was left was burned in 1685. Successive Marquesses of Bute, hereditary keepers, cleared up the ruins and rebuilt the forework in the 19th and early 20th century, and gave it into State care in 1961. Now in the care of Historic Scotland, it is open to the public. Rothesay Castle was in existence in 1230, when it is recorded as having been taken by Norsemen, who hacked through the wall with axes. It was originally contained within an unbroken circular curtain wall. Later in the 13th century four circular towers were added, and in the 16th century a forework was built. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

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