Building record MAB11953 - CORSE CASTLE
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Summary
Remains of castle.
Protected Status/Designation
- Scheduled Monument 2414
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NJ 5487 0739 (38m by 46m) Centred at - Polygon: Unknown Extent |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NJ50NW |
| Authority | Aberdeenshire |
| Civil Parish | Coull |
Type and Period (3)
Full Description
Remains of castle. It is an unusual combination of L and Z-plan with a round stair tower attached to middle of south face of L-block and another round tower on the northwest corner. Built in 1581 for William Forbes whose initials and date are on lintel of entrance doorway. Walls are pierced with gun-loops and shot-holes. Interior wholly gutted and little of layout can be traced. One unusual feature is that the vaulted cellars were constructed only under part of the house, owing to the falling away of ground level. The great kitchen fireplace can be traced in the north gable of the main block. A remarkable survival of the compact 16th century, Scottish Z-plan castle. These relatively small scale castles, particularly well represented in Aberdeenshire, were the fortified homes of the minor aristocracy, regionally powerful landowner and successful merchant. As such they differ in function and design from the larger castles of the royal and political class, the need being both for family comfort and security. Hence the single small entrance to the castle and absence of windows on the ground floor but provision of large, elegant windows to the first floor where the main hall was located. Plans for restoration made 6/3/85.
Period Notes
Built 1581. Listed 24/11/1972.
LEITH-HAY, A, 1849, CASTELLATED ARCHITECTURE OF ABERDEENSHIRE, pp 107-8 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1052.
MACGIBBON, D, 1892, THE CASTELLATED AND DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE OF SCOTLAND, 1-5, VOL 2,265-67 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1140.
SIMPSON, WD, 1949, EARLDOM OF MAR, 128 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1681.
DOE, 1966, A M's SCOT, 8 (Bibliographic reference). SAB353.
SCOTTISH MONUMENTS SURVEY, 1990, JAMES GILES - ABERDEENSHIRE CASTLES, p.7 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1738.
JAMES, M A M, 2024, A TALE OF TWO CASTLES. UNDERSTANDING CONTRIBUTING FACTORS FOR THE CONDITION AND SURVIVAL OF CASTLES IN THE NE OF SCOTLAND. (Bibliographic reference). SAB951.
Apr 18 1978 , PU 566102-6, PU 566102-6 (Ground Photograph). SAB12848.
Feb 27 1996 , AAS/GR/96/CT02,250, AAS/GR/96/CT02,250 (Ground Photograph). SAB32958.
Mar 11 1996 , NQ 1-7, NQ 1-7 (Ground Photograph). SAB33463.
Author unknown, n.d., EVENING EXPRESS, 06/03/85 (Bibliographic reference). SAB446.
NORTH EAST SCOTLAND PRESERVATION TRUST, n.d., K&DDC BUILDINGS AT RISK (Bibliographic reference). SAB1331.
Other Statuses/References
- Authority: ASH;
- HES Scheduled Monument Number: 2414;
- NMR Card Number: NJ50NW2;
- NRHE Numlink: 17478;
- Old Historic Environment Record Ref: NJ50NW0002;
External Links (2)
- https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM2414 (Historic Environment Scotland Portal Link)
- https://www.trove.scot/place/17478 (trove.scot link)
Sources/Archives (11)
- --- SAB1052 Bibliographic reference: LEITH-HAY, A. 1849. CASTELLATED ARCHITECTURE OF ABERDEENSHIRE. pp 107-8.
- --- SAB1140 Bibliographic reference: MACGIBBON, D. 1892. THE CASTELLATED AND DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE OF SCOTLAND, 1-5. Y. VOL 2,265-67.
- --- SAB12848 Ground Photograph: Apr 18 1978 . PU 566102-6. Colour Negative. PU 566102-6.
- --- SAB1331 Bibliographic reference: NORTH EAST SCOTLAND PRESERVATION TRUST. n.d.. K&DDC BUILDINGS AT RISK.
- --- SAB1681 Bibliographic reference: SIMPSON, WD. 1949. EARLDOM OF MAR. 128.
- --- SAB1738 Bibliographic reference: SCOTTISH MONUMENTS SURVEY. 1990. JAMES GILES - ABERDEENSHIRE CASTLES. p.7.
- --- SAB32958 Ground Photograph: Feb 27 1996 . AAS/GR/96/CT02,250. Colour Transparency. AAS/GR/96/CT02,250.
- --- SAB33463 Ground Photograph: Mar 11 1996 . NQ 1-7. Black & White. NQ 1-7.
- --- SAB353 Bibliographic reference: DOE. 1966. A M's SCOT. 8.
- --- SAB446 Bibliographic reference: Author unknown. n.d.. EVENING EXPRESS. 06/03/85.
- --- SAB951 Bibliographic reference: JAMES, M A M. 2024. A TALE OF TWO CASTLES. UNDERSTANDING CONTRIBUTING FACTORS FOR THE CONDITION AND SURVIVAL OF CASTLES IN THE NE OF SCOTLAND. .
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (0)
Record last edited
Nov 25 2024 3:32PM
