Archaeology Notes
Event ID 692938
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Archaeology Notes
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/692938
NO59NW 5.00 52636 99558
NO59NW 5.01 52454 99409 Home Farm
NO59NW 5.02 52556 99371 Mains of Aboyne
NO59NW 5.03 5318 9901 East Mains
NO59NW 5.04 5204 9919 West Lodge
NO59NW 5.05 5306 9903 East Lodge
NO59NW 5.06 52945 99302 Icehouse
NO59NW 5.07 5204 9929 Garden House
NO59NW 5.08 5271 9923 Allach Bridge
NO59NW 5.09 5289 9875 South Lodge
NO59NW 5.10 52042 99307 Wee House
Aboyne Castle [NAT]
OS 1:10,000 map, 1976.
(NO 5263 9955). Aboyne Castle: A tall rambling multi-period mansion now falling into ruin, occupying almost the same site as a possible medieval peel and a horizontal motehill (Simpson 1949) castle of the Bissets, lords of Strathdee from before 1233. The site was protected by a wide, boggy loch formed by the Tarland Burn.
The present building has been so much altered and enlarged in the 18th and 19th centuries that its original plan cannot now be determined, but the NW portion is the oldest incorporating a five-storey circular tower corbelled to square and crowned by a classical balustrade. This is presumably part of the "house" capable of defence which existed in 1638 and was partially rebuilt in 1671. A later replica of this tower stands at the NE angle.
In 1242 the Thanage of Aboye lapsed to the Crown and the estate appears thereafter as a favourite royal residence. It played a locally important part in the Wars of Indpendence, and in 1307 Edward I sent instructions for its fortification. No further record exists until the mention of the 17th century "house".
Simpson was of the opinion that the late 13th century and 14th century references to the Castle of Aboyne actually referred to Coull Castle (NJ50SW 5) and that no medieval peel existed. He explained away references to it as misinterpretations.
Aboye Castle belongs to the Marquis of Huntly whose family have held the property since at least the early 15th century.
W D Simpson 1929; 1949; New Statistical Account (NSA) 1845; N Tranter 1962-70; D MacGibbon and T Ross 1887-92; E Meldrum 1957.
Aboyne Castle is generally as descibed but now derelict. There is no visible evidence of a motte or peel.
Visited by OS (ISS) 12 July 1972.
Listed.
Scottish Castle Survey 1988; N Bogdan and I B D Bryce 1991.
