Mains Of Balfour
Hall House (Medieval)(Possible), Tower House (Medieval)(Possible), Well (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Mains Of Balfour
Classification Hall House (Medieval)(Possible), Tower House (Medieval)(Possible), Well (Period Unassigned)
Alternative Name(s) Mains Of Balfour
Canmore ID 107567
Site Number NO59NE 45.01
NGR NO 5512 9636
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/107567
- Council Aberdeenshire
- Parish Birse
- Former Region Grampian
- Former District Kincardine And Deeside
- Former County Aberdeenshire
NO59NE 45.01 5512 9636
The robbed and grass-covered foundations of a hall-house or tower (measuring 13.5 by 10.5m with walls 1m thick) survive (in poor condition) in a small clearing in woodland. Only one course survives of massive boulder-foundations in the NW corner, which may represent the medieval tower, possibly dating between the 13th and early 16th centuries and to be equated with NO59NE. The remains of a well (measuring about 1m in diameter and 0.5m deep) survive about 3m to the S in a damp hollow; the remains of the stone lining are identifiable.
Visited by Mrs M Greig (for Grampian Region Archaeologist), 23 August 1995.
NMRS, MS/712/10.
NO 551 936 Remains of rectangular foundations, part grass-covered. The NW corner comprises of massive boulders. Only one course is visible, although not complete due to robbing, but enough to estimate size as being 13.5m by 10.50m by 1m thick. These may represent the foundations of a medieval towerhouse. The remains of a shallow stone-lined well lie c4m to the S in a damp hollow.
Reported to Grampian Region's Archaeological Service by Hugh Cochrane, Balfour House, Birse. Full information is held in Grampian Regional Council SMR.
H Cochrane and M Greig 1995.
