Field Visit
Date 26 July 1924
Event ID 932197
Category Recording
Type Field Visit
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/932197
Situated on the machair 2 miles north-west of Creagorry are the remains of Borve Castle, an oblong tower measuring 60 feet by 36 ½ feet over walls varying from 5 to 9 feet in thickness, which are still almost 30 feet in height and indicate that there were at least three storeys. The masonry is rubble heavily bedded in tenacious mortar. The walls are not homogeneous, but have been built in two skins; the inner, which was built first, 2 ½ feet thick. The entrance is in the south wall, is 4 feet wide and has been barred; west of it is a small window.
The ruin is so very great that the internal arrangement cannot be determined without excavation. (Fig. 153.)
Cf. "the residence of the lairds of Benbecula in ancient times. There is no tradition in regard to the time or person by whom it was built" (NSA, xiv, 188). Ranald of Benbecula was known in 1625 as "of Castellborf" (cf Clan Donald, [ii], 346, 348, 370).
RCAHMS 1928, visited 26 July 1924.
