Building record MAB12168 - COULL CASTLE
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Summary
Remains of castle, one of three built by the Durwards in the early 13th century.
Protected Status/Designation
- Listed Building (B) 104
- Scheduled Monument 93
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NJ 5128 0224 (172m by 131m) Centred at - Polygon: Known Site Extent |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NJ50SW |
| Authority | Aberdeenshire |
| Civil Parish | Coull |
Type and Period (13)
- CASTLE (12th Century to Modern - 1100 AD to 2050 AD)
- TOWER (12th Century to Modern - 1100 AD to 2050 AD)
- COURTYARD (12th Century to Modern - 1100 AD to 2050 AD)
- DITCH (12th Century to Modern - 1100 AD to 2050 AD)
- Donjon (12th Century to Modern - 1100 AD to 2050 AD)
- WALL (12th Century to Modern - 1100 AD to 2050 AD)
- PIT (12th Century to Modern - 1100 AD to 2050 AD)
- FLUE (12th Century to Modern - 1100 AD to 2050 AD)
- GATE (12th Century to Modern - 1100 AD to 2050 AD)
- GATEHOUSE (12th Century to Modern - 1100 AD to 2050 AD)
- DRAWBRIDGE (12th Century to Modern - 1100 AD to 2050 AD)
- Mount (12th Century to Modern - 1100 AD to 2050 AD)
- POND (12th Century to Modern - 1100 AD to 2050 AD)
Full Description
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.
Period Notes
Built c1228, probably destroyed 1307. Excavated 1923.
AAS/92/3/CT12-16, AAS/92/3/CT12-16 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB19552.
Author unknown, 1799, OLD STATISTICAL ACCOUNT, VOL III, 201 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1845.
ORDNANCE SURVEY, 1871, Ordnance Name Book, No16(1867) 54 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1360.
SIMPSON, WD, 1924, PSAS 58(1923-4) 45-101, 45-101 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1645.
SIMPSON, WD, 1925, DEESIDE FIELD 2,, 273-80 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1649.
SIMPSON, WD, 1929, PSAS 63(1928-9) 102-37, 129-31 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1654.
CRUDEN, SH, 1960, THE SCOTTISH CASTLE , 127 (Bibliographic reference). SAB247.
GRAHAM, C, 1981, GRAMPIAN: THE CASTLE COUNTRY (2ND ED), 8-9 (Bibliographic reference). SAB598.
LILBURN, AJ, 1984, ABOYNE HIGHLAND GAMES BROCHURE (Bibliographic reference). SAB1055.
BOGDAN, N, 2008, EARLY CASTLES OF ABERDEENSHIRE (Bibliographic reference). SAB3811.
Feb 10 2011 , AAS/2011/1/DG3196-3204, AAS/2011/1/DG3196-3204 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB13276.
Jul 1 1992 , AAS/92/02/S6/10-15, AAS/92/02/S6/10-15 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB14373.
Jul 1 1992 , AAS/92/2/CT6, AAS/92/2/CT6 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB19548.
Author unknown, n.d., EVENING EXPRESS, 02/08/23 (Bibliographic reference). SAB446.
Nov 29 1994 , C 40636 CN, C 40636 CN (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB20451.
Nov 29 1994 , C 40700, C 40700 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB20450.
Other Statuses/References
- Authority: ASH;
- HES Scheduled Monument Number: 93;
- NMR Card Number: NJ50SW5;
- NRHE Numlink: 17514;
- Old Historic Environment Record Ref: NJ50SW0005;
External Links (2)
- https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM93 (Historic Environment Scotland Portal Link)
- https://www.trove.scot/place/17514 (trove.scot link)
Sources/Archives (16)
- --- SAB1055 Bibliographic reference: LILBURN, AJ. 1984. ABOYNE HIGHLAND GAMES BROCHURE.
- --- SAB13276 Air-oblique Photograph: Feb 10 2011 . AAS/2011/1/DG3196-3204. Digital. AAS/2011/1/DG3196-3204.
- --- SAB1360 Bibliographic reference: ORDNANCE SURVEY. 1871. Ordnance Name Book. No16(1867) 54.
- --- SAB14373 Air-oblique Photograph: Jul 1 1992 . AAS/92/02/S6/10-15. Black & White. AAS/92/02/S6/10-15.
- --- SAB1645 Bibliographic reference: SIMPSON, WD. 1924. PSAS 58(1923-4) 45-101. 45-101.
- --- SAB1649 Bibliographic reference: SIMPSON, WD. 1925. DEESIDE FIELD 2,. 273-80.
- --- SAB1654 Bibliographic reference: SIMPSON, WD. 1929. PSAS 63(1928-9) 102-37. 129-31.
- --- SAB1845 Bibliographic reference: Author unknown. 1799. OLD STATISTICAL ACCOUNT. VOL III, 201.
- --- SAB19548 Air-oblique Photograph: Jul 1 1992 . AAS/92/2/CT6. Colour Transparency. AAS/92/2/CT6.
- --- SAB19552 Air-oblique Photograph: AAS/92/3/CT12-16. Colour Transparency. AAS/92/3/CT12-16.
- --- SAB20450 Air-oblique Photograph: Nov 29 1994 . C 40700. Black & White. C 40700.
- --- SAB20451 Air-oblique Photograph: Nov 29 1994 . C 40636 CN. Colour Negative. C 40636 CN.
- --- SAB247 Bibliographic reference: CRUDEN, SH. 1960. THE SCOTTISH CASTLE . 127.
- --- SAB3811 Bibliographic reference: BOGDAN, N. 2008. EARLY CASTLES OF ABERDEENSHIRE.
- --- SAB446 Bibliographic reference: Author unknown. n.d.. EVENING EXPRESS. 02/08/23.
- --- SAB598 Bibliographic reference: GRAHAM, C. 1981. GRAMPIAN: THE CASTLE COUNTRY (2ND ED). 8-9.
Finds (18)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (4)
Record last edited
May 31 2022 3:23PM
