Archaeology Notes

Event ID 691366

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/691366

N064SW 8 60793 40163.

(NO 6078 4016) Kellie Castle (NR)

OS 1:10000 map (1975)

For Kellie Castle, Dovecot, see NO64SW 67.

Kelly (D MacGibbon and T Ross 1889) or Kellie (G M Ramsay, owner) Castle, which was also known as Auchterlony, was the seat of the Elliot family from the 14th to the 17th centuries but the building itself appears to date from the late 15th century at the earliest. After standing in ruins for some time it was restored in the mid-19th century and is still occupied.

The castle consists of a large tower-house overlooking a courtyard on the W. The tower-house, 4 storeys high and massive, may date from the late 15th century, but architectural detail suggests that it is more likely to be contemporary with the ranges of 16th century buildings which flank the courtyard. These are 2 storeys high on the N, S and W, where there is a modern entrance archway. The east range abutting the tower on the N is 3 storeys high. At the outer angles of the W range there are round towers with conical roofs.

The whole building shows only slight evidence of its 19th century restoration, e.g. a few window insertions and some outbuildings on the N. In general it still retains its early character.

Visited by OS (JLD) 6 June 1958