Archaeology Notes

Event ID 681317

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/681317

NO10SW 9 13747 01778

(NO 1374 0177) Castle (NR) (In Ruins)

OS 6" map, Perthshire, (1913/38)

Lochleven Castle. The remains situated on an island of Loch Leven consist of a tower with a courtyard, the latter enclosed by a stout barmkin.

A portion of the masonry in the south wall of the enclosure may date from the 13th century. Otherwise the oldest of the existing buildings is the tower, which is of the later 14th or early 15th century. It is oblong on plan, measuring externally 36 1/2 feet by 31 1/2 feet and contains five storeys. The castle is in good preservation.

RCAHMS 1933; Information from RCAHMS AP catalogue 1980.

Lochleven Castle is as described and illustrated above.

Immediately to the NW of the castle there is a large artificially levelled area with the foundations of a stone wall along its west side. Revised at 1/2500.

Visited by OS (W D J) 6 January 1964.

NO 137 017. A short programme of excavation during September and October of 1995 revealed the footings of a stone forestair, giving access to the Great Hall of the tower. The stonework comprised a revetting wall and rubble core, with two surviving steps at its lowest level, access to which was via metalled pathways within the courtyard. Considerable deposits (up to 0.75m deep) had accumulated against the outer faces of the forestair, containing pottery of c.16th century date, and quantities of animal bone- midden from the occupation of the tower.

Sponsor: Historic Scotland.

G Ewart and D Stewart 1995.