Oblique aerial view centred on the remains of Rothesay Castle, Bute.

Description Oblique aerial view centred on the remains of Rothesay Castle, Bute.

Date 1973

Collection John Dewar

Catalogue Number SC 800098

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of BU 610 CN

Scope and Content Aerial view of Rothesay Castle, Bute, Argyll & Bute This aerial view from the west-south-west, taken in 1973, shows the original circular curtain wall, with the remains of the four circular towers. The 16th-century forework is to the left. On the east side of the courtyard is the chapel. The castle is surrounded by a moat, a rarity in Scotland. 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. It is now in the care of Historic Scotland and 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.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/800098

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap