Middleton

NS47NW 3 4280 7524

(NS 4280 7524) On the site of the present farm of Middleton there formerly stood a mansion or castle.

The Lorane family were tenants of Middleton for several centuries and their last representative who died several years ago gave a distinct description of the ruins. Circa 1810 a part of the wall still stood on the NE side of the present farm-house and was over 3 feet thick and about 7-8ft high. The foundations extended over a large area and could then be traced and a part was exposed during improvements in 1868 when the portion found was 10ft long by 3-4ft thick. There is no record in the Statistical Account [OSA] and the New Statistical Account [NSA].

D Macleod 1886; J Bruce 1893.

There are no vestiges to be seen of the castle, and no further information was found.

Visited by OS (WDJ), 28 January 1963.

NS 4280 7524 An archaeological evaluation was undertaken in the courtyard of Middleton Farm prior to the construction of an extension to the existing farmhouse. A 19th-century history of the area indicated that the ruins of a castle or mansion stood in the vicinity of the farmhouse in 1810. Three trenches were opened, only one of which encountered any features, which proved to be 19th century in date. Nothing was found that could support the report of a castle having stood on the site of the farmhouse.

Sponsor: E Mooney.

R Conolly 2000.

NMRS, MS/899/198.