Archaeology Notes

Event ID 704335

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/704335

NS75SE 1.00 7602 5496

NS75SE 1.01 NS 76004 54984 Well: Holy

NS75SE 1.02 NS 76009 54948 and NS 75992 54950 Sundials

NS75NE 181 NS 76008 55025 Stables, West Range

NS75NE 182 NS 76029 55036 Stables, NE Range

(NS 7602 5496) Dalzell House (NAT)

OS 25" map (1940)

The buildings of Dalzell House form a courtyard. In the centre of the east side is the keep, the earliest portion of the building, and probably of early 16th century date. The buildings immediately on the north and south are of 17th century date; while those on the north side of the courtyard were constructed about 1857. The original castle was naturally well defended on the east and south sides, and there were indications of a moat along the west side. The keep is massive, measuring 39ft x 32ft, and is 48ft in height. Immediately inside the doorway was a portcullis.

D MacGibbon and T Ross 1889

The following particulars are contained in a document possessed by Dalzell Estate Factor (J Kelly).

Old kitchen under drawing room (about 1350). Tower (about 1450).

Servants' hall (about 1550). South Wing (about 1650).

North Wing (about 1865).

Dalzell House: Keep (in centre) and kitchen vault would appear to be of 15th century work, and are the earliest parts of the mansion. The south wing, as stated above is typical 17th century work, but has been considerably restored. There are many 19th century additions and restorations. The whole of the north wing is of this latter period. A stone in the south wing confirms that this was restored in 1869, after having suffered from an outbreak of fire. The wall on the west of the courtyard appears old, but it, too, has been restored. There is a ditch immediately in front of courtyard wall on the west; but this appears to be purely ornamental, although the keep may have been fronted by a moat or ditch. The mansion is now a school, and is in an excellent state of preservation.

Visited by OS (JLD) 28 August 1953

Dalzell House was converted into private flats in 1987.

Information from RCAHMS (HMLB), October 2001.