See Highland HER record ID MHG 8444 also Canmore ID15235. Described as a motte-castle fortified by King William the Lion in 1179. Promontory on North Sutor and the surviving remains consist of two concentric semi-circular ditches with inner ramparts terminating at each end in the S on steep naturally defensive slopes. The outer ditch c7.0m wide and 1.5m deep is truncated in the W. Inner ditch is 7m wide x 2-3m deep, and partial outer ditch is 6m wide and 1m deep. Bracken/grass covered and under threat from cliff erosion.
Location
280700.00
868980.00
27700
57.6947632
-4.0030766
Submitted photographs
Image
Date
Caption
User
23/01/2014
General view, motte and stonework
JonieCG
23/01/2014
Castle ditch
JonieCG
23/01/2014
Dunskeath Castle
JonieCG
23/01/2014
Dunskeath Castle
JonieCG
Submitted updates
Update id
Date
User
1545
23/01/2014
JonieCG
Tidal state
Mid
Site located?
Yes
Proximity to coast edge
11-50m
Coastally eroding?
active sea erosion; has eroded in the past
Threats
vegetation growth
Visibility above ground
Limited visibility (partial remains)
Visibility in section
Limited visibility in section
Access
easily accessible - no restrictions; accessible on foot (no footpath)
Local knowledge
has local associations/history
Description
See Highland HER record ID MHG 8444 also Canmore ID15235. Described as a motte-castle fortified by King William the Lion in 1179. Promontory on North Sutor and the surviving remains consist of two concentric semi-circular ditches with inner ramparts terminating at each end in the S on steep naturally defensive slopes. The outer ditch c7.0m wide and 1.5m deep is truncated in the W. Inner ditch is 7m wide x 2-3m deep, and partial outer ditch is 6m wide and 1m deep. Bracken/grass covered and under threat from cliff erosion.
remove from priorities
Comments
Today on the site there is a demolished war-time concrete building with a tree growing from its centre. The military occupation probably quarried the site and destroyed the archaeology. The area around the site there are various other demolished buildings from the war-time.
The name Dunskeath Castle (1179) it is probable that there could have been a Dun of probably Iron Age on the site long before it being fortified by King William the Lion. It is a scheduled moment.
