Moray HER - NJ33NW0012 - AUCHINDOUN CASTLE

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Main Details

Primary ReferenceNJ33NW0012
NameAUCHINDOUN CASTLE
NRHE Card No.NJ33NW1
NRHE Numlink 16797
HES SM No. 90024
HES LB No. NULL
Site Form Standing Structure
Site Condition Incomplete
Details Auchindoun Castle is a 15th century L-plan tower situated within a possible bivallate fort, although there is some disagreement whether this is an Iron Age fort or an earlier medieval castle. The inner rampart is formed by ditch and the outer bank is mutilated by approach ramps to the castle on the west side, and by quarrying on the east. The outer defences are formed by a natural rocky slope to the east with a ditch and outer bank to the north and south. The present castle is said to have been built by Thomas Cochrane, architect, a favourite of James III from whom he received the Earldom of Mar in 1479. Clearance of the ground and first floor levels of main tower revealed a vaulted chamber set below ground level. The hall has a Gothic ribbed vault, while the ground floor has elliptic barrel vaults. The tower is surrounded by the remains of an enclosed courtyard wall. The castle was burnt in 1592 to revenge the murder of the Earl of Moray by the Marquis of Huntly. The OS 1st edition shows a limekiln attached to the boundary wall west of the castle. This appears disused on current OS maps although it is not shown on the 2nd edition OS map.
Last Update05/08/2022
Updated Bycpalmer
CompilerIBMR
Date of Compilation06/06/1984

Google Map for NJ33NW0012

National Grid Reference: NJ 3488 3746



Event Details

Event DateEvent TypeOASIS ID
1984 Excavation

Excavations and Surveys


Artefact and Ecofact

Ecofact

Samples
Palynology
Ecofact Notes

Monument Types

Monument Type 1Monument Type 2Monument Type 3OrderProbability
KILNSLIMEREMAINS OFP100
HILLFORTS BI-VALLATEA85
DITCHESDEFENSIVE B100
BANKSEARTH C100
CASTLES SITE OFD100
CASTLES REMAINS OFE100
CELLARS BARREL-VAULTEDF100
VAULTS GOTHICG100
COURTYARDS  H100
DOORSPOSTERN I100
GUN-LOOPS  J100
SINKSSTONE K100
FIREPLACES  L100
GARDEROBES  M100
GATEWAYS ARCHEDN100
VAULTS RIBBEDO100