Archaeology Notes

Event ID 682276

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/682276

NO12SE 4 17411 22957

(NO 1741 2295) Balthayock Castle (NR)

OS 6" map, (1969)

For successor country house of Balthayock, policies and dependent buildings, see NO12SE 71.00.

Balthayock Castle is a massive, simple keep of 14th century date. It measures 52 by 37ft and has very thick walls. It is still of considerable height, but has lost its battlements, and has a modern roof.

D MacGibbon and T Ross 1887-92.

This massive rectangular keep occupies a strong position above a steep ravine. It appears to date from an early period, possibly 15th century or before. The walls are at least 10ft thick and are of whin rubble with sandstone dressings. The building was ruinous prior to 1870 when James Maclaren built the present battlements, caphouse, external forestair to the entrance at first floor level and altered the interior. The date '1370' is modern though possibly correct - no documentary evidence has been found (SDD 1966) Though unoccupied, Balthayock Castle is in moderately good preservation.

SDD 1966; N Tranter 1962-70.

Photographed by the RCAHM in 1980.

RCAHMS 1980.