Farnell Castle is an oblong tower house dating from the late 16th century four miles south of Brechin, Angus, Scotland.[1][2][3]
| Farnell Castle | |
|---|---|
| Farnell, Angus, Scotland | |
  Farnell Castle | |
| Coordinates | 56°41′23″N 2°36′54″W / 56.6896°N 2.6150°W |
History edit
The present castle replaces a previous castle on the site, in existence in 1296.[2] King Edward I of England stayed one night in 1296 at the castle during his invasion of Scotland, before travelling to Brechin Castle.[4]
The castle originated as the Bishop's palace of the Bishop of Brechin. Bishop Meldrum called it ‘Palatium Nostrum’ in 1512.[3] It was disposed of in about 1566, supposedly by Donald Campbell. It was turned into a secular castle by Catherine, Countess of Crawford.[3] Subsequently, the Earl of Southesk purchased the castle.[3] It was an alms house in the 19th century.[1]
Structure edit
The castle is a three-storey structure, built from rubble and slate.[1]
The east section, which was the bishop's residence, has crow-stepped gables. On the north are a projecting garderobe, with sanitary flues. On the east gable, at the level of the floors, there is a double row of corbels, and corbels which appear to have been for the purpose of supporting a roofed gallery. On the northern skewpots are small carved shields. One has the initial M, and a crown above; the other I.M., thought to stand for ‘Jesu Maria’[3] There is a circular stair tower in front.[2]
It is a category A listed building.[1]
There is ruined rectangular lean-to dovecot with rubble walls supported by later buttressing in the castle grounds.[2]
References edit
- ^ a b c d "Farnell Castle". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Farnell Castle". Canmore. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Lindsay, Maurice (1986) The Castles of Scotland. Constable. ISBN 0-09-473430-5 p.241
- ^ Prestwich, Michael (1997). Edward I. New Haven, US: Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-07209-0