Archaeology Notes

Event ID 685363

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/685363

NO24NE 24 2629 4957 and 2629 4968

(NO 2629 4957) Castle (NR) (Site of)

(NO 2629 4968) Dovecot Well (NR)

OS 6" map (1959)

The farmstead of Balloch (NO24NE 82) occupies the site of a former castle of which there are now no traces, except for a few hewn stones built into the present structure. It was traditionally the seat of the Rollo family. Dovecot Well belonged to the castle, and the slope N of its is the remains of a knoll on which once stood a dovecot, extant up to probably about 1830.

Name Book 1865

There is now no trace of this castle or dovecot, but the Dovecot Well, stone lined and covered, still provides a good flow of water.

Visited by OS (WDJ) 24 September 1970

NO 262 495 SUAT Ltd was commissioned by HDC Architectural and Building Design Consultancy to undertake an archaeological watching brief on the conversion of a former steading at North Balloch near Alyth. The farmstead of North Balloch occupies the site of a former castle, of which there are no traces, except for a few hewn stones built into the present structure. It was traditionally the seat of the Rollo family, and "Belouch, in the lordship of Alicht" is on record in 1470. Stobie (1783) renders the name as "Ballock", and annotates it "Castle in ruins". Aside from the identification of possible reused sculpted stone in the fabric of the steading walls and a doorway formed with delicately grooved sandstone columns in the northwest corner of the central block of the steading little other remains relating to the castle were recovered. Watching briefs were carried out on 18th and 19th of April 2005, 23rd May 2006 and 17th and 20th April 2007.

Sponsor: HDC Architectural and Building Design Consultancy.

Chris Fyles and Derek Hall 2007.