Archaeology Notes

Event ID 671771

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/671771

NJ86SE 17 8951 6491

(NJ 895 648) Castle of Dundarg (NR) (remains of)

OS 6" map, (1959).

Dundarg Castle was built in the 13th century by the Comyns, and subsequently dismantled, probably by Bruce in 1308. It was rebuilt in 1334, but destroyed almost immediately, after a famous siege. Evidence of this double destruction was confirmed by excavations during 1911-12 and in 1950-51 when many medieval objects were found.

The only substantial part of the castle remaining is the inner gatehouse which survives to a height of about 18ft. The upper part was rebuilt about the middle of the sixteenth century, probably following the Coastal Defence Commission of 1550.

The castle stands within the ramparts of an Iron Age promontory fort, the inner ditch of which was widened to form the castle moat. Simpson (1954) says, with Wainwright's cautious agreement, that 'there can be little doubt that this fort was the "cathair" of Abbordobor which the Mormaer Bede the Pict made over to St Drostan, on his arrival at Aberdour in the 6th century AD, as narrated in the Book of Deer.' He suggests that the foundations of a building set at right angles to the other buildings in the inner ward were those of a Celtic chapel, and that other buildings in the inner ward may incorporate evidence which, together with the chapel, may point to the existence of a small Celtic monastery.

He further claims that a stretch of wall against which the 'chapel' abuts 'may be accepted as the vallum of the Celtic dun' (presumably that occupied by Bede the Pict).

The construction of the 'chapel' and adjoining building cut through a 'hard, bright-red clay floor' in which were possible post-holes, beneath a layer of midden refuse.

Among the finds made in 1911-12 was a Romano-British enamelled bronze button, bearing a swastika superimposed on a cross, dated by Professor Richmond to the 3rd-4th century AD.

W D Simpson 1954; 1959; W Beveridge 1914.

The fort and Dundarg Castle are as described and planned by Simpson (1954): there is insufficient evidence to confirm or deny the existence of a Celtic religious community.

Resurveyed at 1/2500.

Visited by OS (RL) 9 March 1967.

(Location cited as NJ 8950 6480: nominated as Site of Regional Significance).

Remains of promontory fort: the prehistoric phase of Dundarg consists of the outer multiple ditch and banks, bone-rich midden deposits, (probably) post-holes on the promontory itself, together with worked flints and an enamelled bronze button with swastika symbol dated to 3rd or 4th century BC. The inner ditch of the fort was widened to form a later castle moat.

Simpson believed that Dundarg was the 'Cathair of Abbordobor' which Mormaer Bede the Pict made over to St Drostan on his arrival at Aberdour in the 6th century AD, as narrated in the Book of Deer. Simpson considered the Celtic chapel to be represented by foundations of of a building set at right-angles to other buildings in the inner ward; this, however, has not been proven.

The castle was built by the Comyns in the 13th century and dismantled, probably by Bruce, in 1308. It was rebuilt in 1334 and destroyed almost immediately afterwards in a famous siege which was broken by the use of cannon, the first known example of such cannondale in Scotland. The inner gatehouse survives although there is some evidence that it was partially rebuilt and provided with gunloops in the 1550's. The site was finally abandoned in the mid 17th century and house was built on part of it in 1938.

Archaeological excavation and/or survey work is recorded by D Fordyce (1912), W D Simpson (1950), F T Wainwright (1952) and N Fojut (1981).

[Air photographic imagery and bibliographic/newspaper references cited].

NMRS, MS/712/35, visited 9 May 1978.