Description

The monument is the remains of Craigmaddie Castle, a 15th century tower house located within the ramparts of a fort, which is probably of Iron Age date. The monument is situated on a ridge of high ground at about 150m above sea level.

The tower is constructed of coursed rubble. It is rectangular on plan measuring 8.6m northwest-southeast by 7.5m transversely and surviving to first floor height. It is located within a D-shaped enclosure measuring internally 41m east-west by 33m transversely. The enclosure is defined by two turf covered ramparts apart from the southwest arc which is protected by a steep rocky slope.

The scheduled area is irregular on plan to include the remains described above and an area around in which evidence for the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map.  The scheduling specifically excludes the above ground elements of all post-and-wire fences and top 300mm of all modern paths and steps to allow for maintenance. The monument was last scheduled in 1960 but the documentation does not meet current standards; the present scheduling rectifies this.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as it has an inherent potential to make a significant contribution to our understanding of Iron Age forts and the development of medieval domestic fortified dwellings. There is significant potential for the survival of important archaeological remains which can enhance our understanding of the date, construction, function and development of the monument. In addition, the tower retains some interesting features such a recess and a barrel vaulted ground floor. The outer defences have a significant potential to inform our understanding of Iron Age defensive sites and how such sites were reuse in the medieval period. The monument's significance is enhanced due to its close proximity to other broadly contemporary fortified sites such as mottes, stone-built castles and later tower houses. The loss of the monument would diminish our ability to understand the form, character and chronology of Iron Age forts and medieval defensive sites in Scotland.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

Historic Environment Scotland http://www.canmore.org.uk reference number CANMORE ID 44422, 44425 (accessed on 06/05/2014).

OSA (1791-9) The statistical account of Scotland, drawn up from the communications of the ministers of the different parishes, in Sinclair, J (Sir) Edinburgh, Vol. 15, page 279.

RCAHMS (1963) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Stirlingshire: an inventory of the ancient monuments, 2v Edinburgh Vol. 1, 79, No. 79 plan.

Talbot, E J (1975) 'Early Scottish castles of earth and timber - recent field-work and excavation', Scottish Archaeological Forum 6, pages 50, 56.

Canmore

https://canmore.org.uk/site/44425/
https://canmore.org.uk/site/44422/

Source: Historic Environment Scotland