Building record MAB17240 - INCHDREWER CASTLE

Castle, built initially as an L-shaped tower house in the early 16th century (date of construction variously given as circa 1500 and circa 1542 by different sources).

Castle, built initially as an L-shaped tower house in the early 16th century (date of construction variously given as circa 1500 and circa 1542 by different sources). Built of rubble with tooled ashlar dressings. In the late 16th century a round tower containing a staircase was added to the south, and a long row of buildings added on the north and south of the courtyard. There is a round headed doorway in the south elevation and similar, but narrow, door way in the west re-entrant angle below a squinch supporting the stair tower. These doorways supersede a blocked narrow first floor entrance flanking the stair turret in the west re-entrant.. The circular stair tower rises to a corbelled crenellated wallhead, additionally there are three small angle turrets rising from first to second floor level. The castle was destroyed by fire in 1713, but was still lived in by 1836: a plain two-storey gabled wing was added at the east in the late 18th century. Remaining fenestration (except in the 18th century wing) is small and irregular with renewed timber multi-pane glazing. An enlarged single window in the west gable and two similar in the north elevation, all of circa 1971 plate glass glazing, light the former first floor hall. Ruinous rubble walls advance from the south elevation, flanking the former courtyard and at the east accommodating a former kitchen with mural slop sink. Principal entrance probably opened from south side of the courtyard, flanked by round-headed towers, of which vestiges survive. The projecting tower at the southwest angle of courtyard has shotholes each provided with three openings. There was probably a similar tower at the northwest angle of the courtyard There is a small round-headed postern gate in west of barmkin wall, with draw-bar hole and draw-bar, entrance protected by diminutive gun loop. Partial restoration took place in 1971, but the interior was not completed.

Period Notes
Canmore notes built c1542, remodelled 1557; became seat for Lord Banff in 1642; fire destroyed it in 1713; rebuilt 20th century. Listed building entry notes date of construction c. 1500, purchased by Sir Walter Ogilvie of Dunlugas (or his son Sir George) in 1557 from the Curor family. Listed 22/02/1972.

Author unknown, , PRESS & JOURNAL, 24/11/2008 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1416.

MACGIBBON, D, 1892, THE CASTELLATED AND DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE OF SCOTLAND, 1-5, VOL 12, 147-9 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1140.

Aug 17 1977 , AAS/77/11/SQ/37, AAS/77/11/SQ/37 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB13972.

Record last edited

Sep 6 2022 10:43AM