Archaeology Notes

Event ID 664320

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/664320

NH84NW 1 84718 49870

For (predecessor) house of Old Cawdor (NH c. 858 512), see NH85SE 9.

(NH 8471 4987) Cawdor Castle (NR)

(AD. 1393) Moat (NR) Drawbridge (NR)

OS 6" map, Nairnshire, 2nd ed., (1906)

Cawdor Castle consists of mainly 17th century buildings, incorporating a keep which probably dates from about 1454.

Most of the features which give the castle the appearance of a 15th century castle, eg. drawbridge, moat and entrance gateway, also date from the 17th century, although they are probably on the original sites. The castle originally belonged to the Calders, but passed, in the 17th century, to the Campbells of Calder, who are still represented by the Earl of Cawdor.

A previous building, mentioned as 'Calder Castle' in 1398, may have occupied the site.

D MacGibbon and T Ross 1887-92.

Cawdor Castle is still inhabited and in excellent condition. According to the late Lord Cawdor it comprises a towerhouse with curtain wall and dry-moat built c. 1396, with 17th century additions. The tower-house was modified c 1456, and the cap-house added.

Visited by OS (NKB) 21 July 1971; Information from pamphlet 'Some facts about Cawdor Castle', by Lord Cawdor.