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Archaeology Notes
Date - 1973
Event ID 731288
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Archaeology Notes
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/731288
NY37NE 4 3862 7821
(NY 3862 7821) Gilnockie Castle (NR)
(Site of)
OS 6" map (1957)
Earthworks which suggest a promontory fort of familiar type.
Source: RCAHMS 1920
The name 'Gilnockie Castle' seems to have been applied here because of the opinion held by some authorities, and disputed by others, that Johnnie Armstrong of Gilnockie had a tower at the E end of Gilnockie Bridge, possibly the predecessor of that noted on NY37NE 3. At the same time the Armstrong clan were responsible for the building of many of the border towers in the debatable lands, and on a small scale map of 1590 a tower is shown at 'ye Thornwhate'. Nether Thorniewhats is at NY 389 784. It is not known it there is any connection between 'ye Thornwhate' tower and the site E of Gilnockie Bridge.
Source: J and R Hyslop 1912
Situated on a promontory in a bend on the River Esk are the remains of a small fort measuring about 40.0m NE-SW by 36.0m transversley. It consists of a substantial earth and stone rampart with a causewayed entrance in the centre. The remaining sides are protected by the steep natural slopes to the river. The S side of the fort and the rampart and ditch have been mutilated by modern tracks and road. The interior has been quarried and there is no trace of any tower. The site is still known as 'Gilnockie Castle'. There is no trace of a tower at Nether Thorniewhats.
Resurveyed at 1:2500.
Visited by OS (RD) 21 December 1970
No change to the previous report.
Visited by OS (JP) 20 February 1973
