Archaeology Notes

Event ID 689826

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/689826

NO50SE 9 56529 03573.

(NO 5652 0357) Dreel Castle (NR) (Site of)

OS 6" map (1912)

At the end of Castle Wynd, the rock projecting into the creek at the mouth of the Dreel Burn is pointed out as the site of Dreel Castle, which may be the same builing as Anstruther Castle (? Anstruther Place - see NO50SE 11). The wall at the lower part of the wynd on the west side dates from the 16th century and bears traces of many alterations. At the southern end is a loophole of 'dumb-bell' shape.

RCAHMS 1933

The connection of the Anstruther family in the district dates from the time of David I (1124-53) when William de Candela, a Norman baron, settled here and probably built the oldest portion of what afterwards became known as the Castle of Dreel. The family name of de Anstruther was assumed about 1225.

The old castle has disappeared. It is said to have been a square tower of great strength built on the margin of the Dreel Burn, close by the sea.

The castle was taken and possibly damaged by Cromwell's army in 1651. Charles II visited the castle in that year, a visit which possibly led Sir Philip Anstruther to construct a new mansion after the restoration in 1663 (see NO50SE 11). The ruins were partly habitable in 1732 but

had disappeared at the beginning of the 19th century.

A H Millar 1895

There is no trace of Dreel Castle although at the bottom of Wightman's Wynd is a sqaure building incorporating several dressed stones which probably came from the castle.

Visited by OS (JP) 29 May 1974