Aberdeenshire HER - NJ95SW0010 - BRUCKLAY CASTLE

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Main Details

Primary ReferenceNJ95SW0010
NameBRUCKLAY CASTLE
NRHE Card No.NJ95SW15
NRHE Numlink 20750
HES SM No. NULL
HES LB No. 49988
Site Form Standing Structure
Site Condition Incomplete
Details Remains of castle. Date of earliest castle is unknown, but it was reported to be very plain, and similar to many other late 17th Century tower-houses. A lofty central round tower, containing a staircase, was its principal feature. Considerable additions and alterations in the 18th and 19th Centuries maintained the original style of the building, but elaborate reconstruction in mid 19th Century has given it the appearance of an old Scottish castellated mansion. After being requisitioned during the Second World War, it was unroofed in 1953. The castle is now a roofless shell. Little can be recognised of the original structure except for a rolled moulded arch, and the ruins of barrel vaulted cellars bounded on the north and east by very thick walls, the latter probably being those of the original tower-house. The earliest part of the castle was erected by James Crawford of Brucklay in 1600–1625. The castle was transferred from Clan Irvine to Arthur Dingwall in 1742, and was home to Dingwall-Fordyce family from the 1700s. Home to W. D. Fordyce M. P. between 1836-1875. Fordyce was a Liberal M. P. between 1866 and 1875. He pioneered benefits for his tenants, provided transportation services (including the building a railway station at Maud) and advocated for the rural economy. He is commemorated by the Culsh Monument (NJ84NE0002) and was buried on Brucklay Castle estate, where an obelisk marks his grave (NJ94NW0078). In 1952 the Castle was sold to the housebreaker Charles Brand of Dundee Ltd. Its contents and some architectural features were sold off shortly afterwards, and the roof removed.
Last Update10/10/2024
Updated Bycherbert
Compiler 
Date of Compilation 

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National Grid Reference: NJ 9109 5015



Event Details


Excavations and Surveys


Artefact and Ecofact

Ecofact

Samples
Palynology
Ecofact Notes

Monument Types

Monument Type 1Monument Type 2Monument Type 3OrderProbability
CASTLES REMAINS OFA100
TOWERSROUND B100
STAIRCASESCIRCULAR C100
ARCHES ROLL-MOULDEDD100
CELLARS VAULTEDE100
HOUSESBARONIALREMAINS OFF100
TURRETS CORBELLEDG100
DORMERS  H100
PORT-COCHERES  I100