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Archaeology Notes
Event ID 676928
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Archaeology Notes
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/676928
NN40SE 2 47275 01413
(NN 4728 0141) Duke Murdoch's Castle (NR) (Ruins of).
OS 6" map 2nd ed. (1901)
As far as can be judged from its condition, c.1960, Duke Murdoch's Castle has been a simple rectangular, without flanking towers, enclosing a space 45 x 20ft (Christison 1907).
It is said to have been built by Murdoch, Duke of Albany, uncle of James 1 of Scotland, or possibly by one of his ancestors of the same name. It was also known as Dundochill). Until 3 or 4 years prior to 1907, the castle stood to a considerable height above the rocky islet on which it is situated, but a great fall reduced it.
D Christison 1907.
This building is as described and planned, except that the walls are about 1.5m thick and vary in height from c.3.0 m on the south to slight remains elsewhere. Much of the SW angle has collapsed into the loch. A doorway, 1.0m wide, in the east wall is approached up a short steep slope by a series of steps. The position of the building and the fact that the island is surrounded by very deep water makes the site extremely strong.
Surveyed at 1:10,560.
Visited by OS (W D J) 14 May 1969
