Swiney Castle
Castle (Medieval)
Site Name Swiney Castle
Classification Castle (Medieval)
Alternative Name(s) Lat 247; Swinzee; Swingle; Achastle-shore
Canmore ID 8651
Site Number ND23SW 2
NGR ND 2315 3396
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/8651
- Council Highland
- Parish Latheron
- Former Region Highland
- Former District Caithness
- Former County Caithness
ND23SW 2 2315 3396
(ND 2315 3396) Swiney Castle (NR) (Site of)
OS 6" map, (1959.
Nothing now remains of this ancient stronghold. All that is to be seen are three grassy mounds. A small piece of wall where the road cuts through the feature still remains, said to have been a well of keep. Said to have been coeval with Forse Castle and occupied by a branch of the Sutherlands of Forse (ONB 1871).
The Statistical Account (OSA, 1796) lists 'Swinzee' as an old castle on the coast between Forse and Clyth; Forsyth, in an otherwise identical list, gives the name as 'Swingle'.
OSA 1796; R O Forsyth 1805-8; Ordnance Survey Name Book (ONB) 1871.
Situated on a steep-sided promontory, Swiney Castle remains as a grass-covered artificial mound protected on its seaward side by a double ditch with a central rampart, and on the landward side by a ditch.
The mound, which measures some 18m in diameter and 2.0m high, has traces of masonry protruding from its S side. There is no trace of the walling described in the Name Book (1871)
Surveyed at 1:2500.
Visited by OS (R L), 11 March 1968.
RCAHMS survey carried out.
DES 1980.
Landslip at the landward end of the peninsula indicates further stonework, probably walling.
C Batey 1982.
Scheduled as Swiney Castle, remains of, Achastle-shore.
Information from Historic Scotland, scheduling document dated 8 September 2003.
Project (1980 - 1982)
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