Building record MAB41872 - BENHOLM CASTLE

Remains of castle, seat of the Keiths, comprising a 15th century tower and later attached mansion.

Remains of castle, seat of the Keiths, comprising a 15th century tower and later attached mansion. The original square keep rises 4 storeys, with crenellated parapet borne on simple individual corbels. At the southeast angle the stairway ends in a square gabled caphouse and watch-chamber of somewhat later date. A door in the south front opens into basement vaults. The hall on the first floor has a large fireplace with nearby ornamental aumbry. The castle was built by the Lundie family but it later belonged to the Keith Earl Marischal. The property was purchased in 1659 by the Scotts who built the adjacent mansion in the 19th century. A square ashlar dovecot with stone nesting boxes, lies to the southeast. There is also a ruinous private chapel. During World War II the mansion was used as a hospital for Polish troops but was abandoned after the war and soon became ruinous. One side of the tower collapsed following a storm in the 1990s. The mansion has been restored.

Period Notes
Built 15thC. Used as hospital during WWII, after which it became derelict. East side of tower collapsed 1992.

Author unknown, , PRESS & JOURNAL, 19/09/1989 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1416.

JERVISE, A., 1882, HISTORY & TRADITIONS OF THE LAND OF THE LINDSAYS, 404-5 (Bibliographic reference). SAB901.

MACGIBBON, D, 1892, THE CASTELLATED AND DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE OF SCOTLAND, 1-5, 284 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1140.

CRUDEN, SH, 1960, THE SCOTTISH CASTLE , 143 (Bibliographic reference). SAB247.

TRANTER, N, 1977, FORTIFIED HOUSE IN SCOT VOL 4, 150-1 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1950.

Aug 1 1979 , CKM 71, CKM 71 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB15967.

Aug 19 1987 , AAS(A)/87/02/S2/21-2, AAS(A)/87/02/S2/21-2 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB15966.

Aug 31 1995 , AAS/95/10/G27/20-25, AAS/95/10/G27/20-25 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB16146.

Jul 2 2009 , AAS/09/1/DG0649-67, AAS/09/1/DG0649-67 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB19984.

Jun 7 1997 , AAS/97/07/CT61, AAS/97/07/CT61 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB19706.

Jun 7 1997 , AAS/97/07/G14/9,10, AAS/97/07/G14/9,10 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB16747.

SDD, n.d., BLDS OF ARCH & HIST INTEREST, BENHOLM 11,12 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1827.

Author unknown, n.d., LEOPARD MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY 1993 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1074.

RCAHMS, n.d., S KINC LIST, No229 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1512.

Record last edited

Aug 26 2024 12:59PM