Coroghon Castle

Heritage listing

Date Added 09/01/1996 Supplementary Information Updated 03/02/2021 Type Prehistoric domestic and defensive: other midden deposits, Secular: castle Local Authority Highland Parish Small Isles NGR NG 27971 05539 Coordinates 127971, 805539 — The monument consists of a fortified rock stack, used as a refuge since at least the 16th century, with a strongpoint commanding the only ascent, together with an area in which prehistoric midden material has been found. The rock is ascended by a steep path up the N flank, and the lowest slope of the path is ramped, with a revetment supporting the E (seaward) side. The path reaches the top of the stack through a doorway 0.6m wide near the E end of the fortification. There are no obvious traces of fortification around the other sides of the stack, apart from a rock-cut hollow some 3.5m by 2.0m by 0.3m deep. Although there are no visible remains, it is likely that this was formerly the site of a late prehistoric dun, and in 1991 prehistoric midden material was located some 20m-30m N of the foot of the stack, and undecorated pottery sherds of unknown date have also been found at its foot. The fortification is roughly rectangular, using a rock face to form part of its S and E walls and with its N wall curved to run along the edge of the rock. The walls are generally 0.7m thick and of rubble masonry with lime mortar. The interior is divided into 2 chambers, the W chamber acting as an entrance passage and the E one, which measures 3m N-S by 2m E-W internally and is connected to the entrance passage by a doorway, having a cellar below. The floor of the E chamber was supported along the E wall on a scarcement. There are gunloops in both the E chamber and its cellar, and these seem integral with the fabric, suggesting a 16th or 17th-century dat

From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.