Aberdeenshire HER - NJ50SW0005 - COULL CASTLE

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Main Details

Primary ReferenceNJ50SW0005
NameCOULL CASTLE
NRHE Card No.NJ50SW5
NRHE Numlink 17514
HES SM No. 93
HES LB No. NULL
Site Form Standing Structure
Site Condition Incomplete
Details Remains of castle, one of three built by the Durwards in the early 13th century. The remains of three flanking towers survive, although there were probably originally five towers. The courtyard stands with its back to Tarland Burn and is defended in front by an enormous ditch. Excavations between 1912 and 1923 recorded a pentagonal courtyard with the remains of three flanking towers, standing with its back to Tarland Burn, and defended in front by an enormous ditch. From excavation evidence, and the absence of pottery later than early 14th century, it is possible that the castle was deliberately dismantled, probably by Bruce in 1307 AD, during the Wars of Independence. Two sherds of a jug of French Saintonge polychrome ware were found during excavations.
Last Update31/05/2022
Updated Bybmann
Compiler 
Date of Compilation 
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Google Map for NJ50SW0005

National Grid Reference: NJ 5127 0224


Event Details

Event DateEvent TypeOASIS ID
1912 Excavation
1923 Excavation

Excavations and Surveys

Date MDate YTypeDurationDirector / OrganisationAuspicesFundExtent
 1912  A MARSHALL MACKENZIE   
 1923  WD SIMPSON   

Artefact and Ecofact

Date MDate YArtefact TypeFinderRecovery MethodConditionStorage LocationAccess No.
01912 MEDIEVAL POTTERY AMM Excavation Aberdeen University Museums  
01912 GLASS AMM Excavation Aberdeen University Museums  
01912 SMITH'S TONGS AMM Excavation Aberdeen University Museums  
01912 IRON NAILS AMM Excavation Aberdeen University Museums  
01923 IRON ARROWHEAD WDS Excavation Aberdeen University Museums  
01923 SLING-STONE WDS Excavation Aberdeen University Museums  
01923 POTTERY WDS Excavation Aberdeen University Museums  
01923 IRON FERRULE WDS Excavation Aberdeen University Museums  
01923 FLAYING KNIFE WDS Excavation Aberdeen University Museums  
01923 ANTLER BUNG WDS Excavation Aberdeen University Museums  
01923 BOAR'S TUSK WDS Excavation Aberdeen University Museums  
01923 ANIMAL BONES WDS Excavation Aberdeen University Museums  
00 SILVER COINS WDS Excavation Aberdeen University Museums  
 1923 SAINTONGE-WARE WDS Excavation Aberdeen University Museums 14441

Ecofact

Samples
Palynology
Ecofact Notes

Monument Types

Monument Type 1Monument Type 2Monument Type 3OrderProbability
POTTERY SAINTONGE-WAREAQ100
CASTLES REMAINS OFA100
TOWERS REMAINS OFB100
COURTYARDSPENTAGONALREMAINS OFC100
DITCHESDEFENSIVE D100
DONJONS REMAINS OFE100
WALLSCURTAINREMAINS OFF100
PITS  G100
JAMBSDOOR H100
SLOTSDRAWBAR I100
FLUES GARDEROBEJ100
RECESSES ANGLEDK100
GATESPOSTERNREMAINS OFL100
SLOTSDRAWBAR M100
VOUSSOIRS  N100
GATE-HOUSES REMAINS OFO100
STONES DECORATEDP100
DRAW-BRIDGES SITE OFQ100
NAILSIRON R100
MASON-MARKS  S100
MOULDINGS DOG-TOOTHT100
STONES INSCRIBEDU100
POTTERY  V100
FRAGMENTSGLASS W100
MOUNTSIRON X100
HINGE-PIVOTS REMAINS OFZ100
KEYSIRON AA100
TONGS  AB100
POTSIRONFRAGMENTAC100
RODSIRON AD100
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