Document record MAB49855 - FORRES CASTLE
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Summary
Site of a royal castle which stood at west end of High street in Forres, and is now surmounted by a 19th Century memorial obelisk stands on the site.
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NJ 0341 5873 (40m by 40m) Centred at - Polygon: Unknown Extent |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NJ05NW |
| Authority | Moray |
| Civil Parish | Forres |
Type and Period (4)
Full Description
Site of a royal castle which stood at west end of High street in Forres, and is now surmounted by a 19th Century memorial obelisk stands on the site. The castle was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt throughout its history, with the earliest alleged destruction in AD850 by Norsemen. King David II was in residence in 1367. By the 14th Century, the castle had been greatly strengthened by the addition of thick walls and keep with flanking towers. It was held by the Dunbars of Westfield until the 17th Century, when it was thought to have fallen into decay. In 1712 Provost Dawson commenced a house on top of site but did not complete its construction.
Period Notes
Early medieval castle; alleged destruction c.850; probable site of the murder of King Duffus by Governor Donald in 966; castle greatly strengthened by thick walls and flanking towers by 14thC; King David II in residence 1367; burnt 1390 by Wolf of Badenoch; held by the Dunbars until 17thC when it fell into decay; ruins by 18thC and in 1712 Provost Dawson commenced a house on top of site but did not complete its construction.
SHAW, L, 1882, HIST OF PROV OF MORAY II, 71 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1627.
ARMITAGE, ES, 1912, EARLY NORM CASTLES OF BRIT ISL, 321 (Bibliographic reference). SAB10.
RITCHIE, JB, 1932, PAGEANT OF MORAYLAND, 20 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1501.
DOUGLAS, R, 1936, RUINED CASTLES OF MORAY, 20 (Bibliographic reference). SAB367.
TURNER-SIMPSON, A, 1982, HISTORIC FORRES, 5, 19-20 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1978.
Author unknown, n.d., THE NORTHERN SCOT, 10/10/86 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1270.
Other Statuses/References
- Authority: MOR;
- NMR Card Number: NJ05NW18;
- NRHE Numlink: 15794;
- Old Historic Environment Record Ref: NJ05NW0017;
External Links (1)
- https://www.trove.scot/place/15794 (trove.scot link)
Sources/Archives (6)
- --- SAB10 Bibliographic reference: ARMITAGE, ES. 1912. EARLY NORM CASTLES OF BRIT ISL. 321.
- --- SAB1270 Bibliographic reference: Author unknown. n.d.. THE NORTHERN SCOT. 10/10/86.
- --- SAB1501 Bibliographic reference: RITCHIE, JB. 1932. PAGEANT OF MORAYLAND. 20.
- --- SAB1627 Bibliographic reference: SHAW, L. 1882. HIST OF PROV OF MORAY II. Y. 71.
- --- SAB1978 Bibliographic reference: TURNER-SIMPSON, A. 1982. HISTORIC FORRES. Y. 5, 19-20.
- --- SAB367 Bibliographic reference: DOUGLAS, R. 1936. RUINED CASTLES OF MORAY. 20.
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (0)
Record last edited
Apr 10 2015 9:10AM
