Document record MAB50792 - PALACE OF BIRNIE
Please read our guidance about the use of Aberdeenshire Historic Environment Record data.
Summary
Reputed site of the ancient Palace of Birnie, the first residence of the Bishops of Moray, and possible site of prehistoric settlement.
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NJ 2171 5800 (365m by 401m) Centred at - Polygon: Known Site Extent |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NJ25NW |
| Authority | Moray |
| Civil Parish | Birnie |
Type and Period (2)
Full Description
Reputed site of the ancient Palace of Birnie, the first residence of the Bishops of Moray, and possible site of prehistoric settlement. The Bishop's residence was afterwards removed to Kinneddar (NJ26NW0001), then Spynie (NJ26NW0004), and lastly Elgin (NJ26SW0080). There are now no visible traces above ground, but the foundations were said to have been cleared away in 1802 during land reclamation. It is said that some foundations of the Episcopal residence were dug up in the corner of a field called Castle Hill, although it is not recorded which corner, or how extensive the foundations were. On the 1st edition and the 2nd edition OS maps a large farmstead is also shown in the field (in the northwest corner) with the name of Castlehill. The maps show a U-shaped steading, three rectangular buildings and a large rectangular garden. Fieldwalking was undertaken across the field in 2011, under the guidance of Fraser Hunter, following its first ploughing for over 10 years. Although the place name has been linked to the bishop's palace, in the mid 19th century the Rev. George Gordon noted that the name had been transferred from another farm. This was confirmed by the sparsity of medieval material recovered by the fieldwalking, although the farmer reported that large stone slabs had been found when it had last been ploughed. Evidence of later prehistoric activity was found in the form of a few sherds of pottery suggesting a possible settlement site on this low rise. A watching brief and evaluation (NJ25NW0071) adjacent to Castlehill in 2014 found no archaeological features or artefacts.
ORDNANCE SURVEY, 1871, Ordnance Name Book, No2(1871) 11 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1360.
BOGDAN, NQ, 1991, Castles, Manors & Town House survey, p.36 (Bibliographic reference). SAB2251.
BISHOP'S PALACE
Dec 3 2013 , AAS-GR-13-12-132 - 192, AAS-GR-13-12-132 - 192 (Ground Photograph). SAB35332.
Dec 19 2013 , AAS-GR-13-12-192 - 195, AAS-GR-13-12-192 - 195 (Ground Photograph). SAB35333.
Author unknown, n.d., NSA, (1842) 85 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1269.
Nov 28 2013 , AAS-GR-13-11-609 - 613, AAS-GR-13-11-609 - 613 (Ground Photograph). SAB35330.
Nov 29 2013 , AAS-GR-13-11-614 - 630, AAS-GR-13-11-614 - 630 (Ground Photograph). SAB35331.
Other Statuses/References
- Authority: MOR;
- NMR Card Number: NJ25NW4;
- NRHE Numlink: 16431;
- Old Historic Environment Record Ref: NJ25NW0003;
External Links (1)
- https://www.trove.scot/place/16431 (trove.scot link)
Sources/Archives (7)
- --- SAB1269 Bibliographic reference: Author unknown. n.d.. NSA. (1842) 85.
- --- SAB1360 Bibliographic reference: ORDNANCE SURVEY. 1871. Ordnance Name Book. No2(1871) 11.
- --- SAB2251 Bibliographic reference: BOGDAN, NQ. 1991. Castles, Manors & Town House survey. Y. p.36.
- --- SAB35330 Ground Photograph: Nov 28 2013 . AAS-GR-13-11-609 - 613. Digital. AAS-GR-13-11-609 - 613.
- --- SAB35331 Ground Photograph: Nov 29 2013 . AAS-GR-13-11-614 - 630. Digital. AAS-GR-13-11-614 - 630.
- --- SAB35332 Ground Photograph: Dec 3 2013 . AAS-GR-13-12-132 - 192. Digital. AAS-GR-13-12-132 - 192.
- --- SAB35333 Ground Photograph: Dec 19 2013 . AAS-GR-13-12-192 - 195. Digital. AAS-GR-13-12-192 - 195.
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (1)
Record last edited
Dec 15 2023 3:40PM
