Archaeology Notes

Event ID 690018

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/690018

NO55NE 5.00 59792 59892

NO55NE 5.01 NO 5977 5990 Motte (Possible)

(NO 5977 5990) Brechin Castle (NR)

OS 6" map, (1970)

Brechin Castle is listed by Tranter (1962-70) among fortified houses, although dating in some part from the defensive period, which have been so altered at a later period as to leave little of the earlier work visible, and now presenting a wholly different appearance.

Wood (1828) states that the present castle was built in 1711 on the site of the old Castle which was captured by Edward I in 1303 after a siege. Jervise (1861), however, says that large additions were made, and a new front built, in 1711, further additions were made at the end of the 18th century, as well as more recent alterations.

It was originally surrounded by water; on the N and E was a natural ditch; the Esk formed the southern defence, and there was also a ditch on the W, though it cannot now be said whether the latter was natural or artificial. It was probably filled in in 1711.

N Tranter 1962-70; A Jervise 1861; J Wood 1828.

Brechin Castle is principally a modern structure bearing 19th century dates. The oldest part seems to be the SE, or kitchen, block, which bears the date '1703' on an internal lintel.

Within the central courtyard, the facing of the W and N wings is of older masonry than the adjacent parts; it is probably of late 18th century date. The whole mansion, which is the residence of Lord Dalhousie, is unpretentious and considerably modernised.

Visited by OS (JLD) 24 July 1958.