Desk Based Assessment
Date 1958
Event ID 977798
Category Recording
Type Desk Based Assessment
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/977798
(NO 5461 5633) Melgund Castle (NR) (remains of)
OS 6" map, (1970)
Melgund Castle: the extensive ruin of a castle built in the second half of the 16th century in imitation of a 15th century keep with 16th century additions. It was probably built by David Bethune about 1560. The west end of the castle is on the L-plan, consisting of a 'keep' and stair tower. The keep is 4 storeys and an attic in height but the stair tower seems to have been raised considerably higher to act as a watch tower. There are shot-holes in the lower storey. The entrance was in the stair tower at the re-entrant angle.
A range of domestic buildings runs eastward from the keep, terminating in a round tower with shot-holes at the NE angle. This is said to have contained the well.
The castle is now the property of the Earl of Minto.
D MacGibbon and T Ross 1887-92.
