Archaeology Notes

Event ID 685176

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/685176

NO21NE 21 2662 1685

(NO 2662 1685) Lindores Castle (NR) (Site of)

OS 6" map, (1959)

Called Macduff's Castle in 1854, and known locally as 'Macduff' according to Laing, this castle is said to have been built or to have been in existence six hundred years ago, and to have belonged to Duncan Macduff, first Earl of Fife. Its last remains were removed in 1829 (Name Book 1854). Boece (Information from 'Scotorum Hist', Vol. 14) states it was destroyed by Edward I in 1300. Parts of its foundations were excavated about 1800, and a small apartment, in which was a shelved recess was discovered. On the shelves lay what seemed to be folded cloth, which disentegrated on exposure. Taylor, calling it Lindores Castle, and who also mentions Old Lindores (NO21NE 20) gives its position on the high ground as indicated on OS 6".

Traditionally, the Dog Loch (NO 2630 1690), Bowstard Loch (NO 2645 1703) and Siller Loch (NO 2675 1688), all now drained, were artificially connected by a deep cutting with floodgates and linked to Lindores Loch, this cutting being crossed by a drawbridge, providing defences for this castle.

Name Book 1854; J W Taylor 1875; A Laing 1876.

There are no visible remains of this castle, known locally as "Lindores Castle".

Visited by OS (W D J) 13 May 1970.