Earthwork record MAB45479 - LOCH KINORD CASTLE

Site of castle, now only visible as low earthworks in low light from the air, on an island in Loch Kinord, also known as Castle Island.

Site of castle, now only visible as low earthworks in low light from the air, on an island in Loch Kinord, also known as Castle Island. The island has been used from the 14th century onwards as a strategic defensive site and a residence. The castle was possibly built in the 15th century, as mention is made of it in 1505. It was the mansion of the Earl of Huntly in 1511, and noted as 'the mansion of Lochcanmour' in a charter of Alexander, third Earl of Huntly, dated 27 July 1511. It was restored and garrisoned in 1646, before being razed by an act of Parliament in 1648. The island and surrounding loch bed was known in the 18th and 19th centuries as a source of timber. An evaluative investigation took place in October 2015 by Michael J. Stratigos that surveyed the whole island (above and below water), and excavated a series of trenches above the waterline. The investigation suggested that the island either has a natural origin, but that is has been substantially modified with midden and large amounts of natural material being re-deposited, or has a totally artificial origin. The trial trenches appeared to hit natural, suggesting a natural origin. Two radiocarbon dates were obtained from a post-hole and a midden context, giving 11th-12th century cal AD dates. However a radiocarbon date of 806-556 cal BC obtained from a timber projecting from an artificial slope on a submerged section of the island suggests a possible artificial origin. A group of piles to the west of the island is possibly an outer palisade or a jetty/catwalk. There were few finds made, which is consistent with a planned demolition of the castle where portable items were removed prior to demolition. Topsoil finds include a 13mm long fragment of clay pipe, with a diameter consistent with early pre-1650 clay pipes, although dating is uncertain. Five boats (four logboats and a clinker built vessel) and a medieval bronze jug were found in the loch beside the island (see NO49NW0137, NO49NW0139, NO49NW0140, NO49NW0143) with one boat still in the loch (NO49NW0011).

Period Notes
A timber projecting from a submerged section of the island was radiocarbon dated to Iron Age. Use of the island continues into the medieval, and the castle is first mentioned in 1505, possibly having been built in the 15th century. It was restored and garrisoned in 1646, before being razed in 1648. Radiocarbon dates: Poz-79913 (submerged timber), 2565 +/-30 BP, 806-556 cal BC (95% probability – OxCal calibration v4.2.4 2013). Poz-79914 (midden), 920 +/-30 BP, 1028-1184 cal AD (95% probability – OxCal calibration v4.2.4 2013). Poz-79915 (post-hole fill), 955 +/-30 BP, 1022-1155 cal AD (95% probability – OxCal calibration v4.2.4 2013).

SIMPSON, WD, 1929, PSAS 63(1928-9) 102-37, 102-38 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1654.

BRONZE JUG

SIMPSON, WD, 1943, PROVINCE OF MAR, PL 43 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1676.

BOGDAN, N, 2008, EARLY CASTLES OF ABERDEENSHIRE (Bibliographic reference). SAB3811.

STRATIGOS, M.J., 2015, CASTLE ISLAND: DATA STRUCTURE REPORT, DSR (Bibliographic reference). SAB1768.

STRATIGOS, M, 2017, A NEW CHRONOLOGY FOR CRANNOGS IN NORTH-EAST SCOTLAND. IN PSAS 147, 147-173 (Bibliographic reference). SAB4836.

Dec 18 2006 , AAS/06/4/DG0971-2, AAS/06/4/DG0971-2 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB19081.

Feb 10 2011 , AAS/2011/1/DG3215, 3218-9, AAS/2011/1/DG3215, 3218-9 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB13160.

Feb 10 2011 , AAS/2011/1/DG3221, 3225, AAS/2011/1/DG3221, 3225 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB13161.

Feb 22 2010 , AAS/10/01/DG030,32-4, AAS/10/01/DG030,32-4 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB20216.

Feb 22 2010 , DG030, DG033, DG034, DG030, DG033, DG034 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB36814.

Jan 27 1998 , AAS/98/01/CN, AAS/98/01/CN (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB16918.

Jan 27 1998 , AAS/98/01/G1/17,18, AAS/98/01/G1/17,18 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB16917.

Jul 4 1996 , AAS/96/07/CT8,24, AAS/96/07/CT8,24 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB16432.

Jul 18 1989 , AAS/89/05/CT36, AAS/89/05/CT36 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB19749.

Jul 18 1989 , AAS/89/05/S15/13, AAS/89/05/S15/13 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB15260.

Jun 6 1996 , AAS/96/03/G7/8, AAS/96/03/G7/8 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB16322.

Mar 16 2000 , AAS/00/06/CT17-8, AAS/00/06/CT17-8 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB12832.

Oct 31 1996 , AAS/GR/96/CT189, AAS/GR/96/CT189 (Ground Photograph). SAB32989.

Record last edited

Oct 31 2025 9:35AM