Tom-a'-Caisteal, castle 400m S of Kirkton

Heritage listing

Date Added 27/03/2007 Type Secular: castle Local Authority Highland Parish Kirkhill NGR NH 60449 44895 Coordinates 260449, 844895 — The monument comprises the remains of a small later medieval castle situated on the crest of a small rocky hill in woodland to the S of Kirkton Farm, approximately 1km S of the shore of Beauly Firth. It is on record in 1206 as occupied by Baron Thomson, a vassal of the Lovats, but by 1220 was in the possession of the Corbets, Barons of Farnaway, where it remained until 1498. Tom-a'-Caisteal castle occupies a small but prominent rocky, steep-sided knoll between the confluence of two streams. Its oval-shaped summit has two levels, the higher being on the W. Overall, the top measures 40m from E to W by 18m transversely. On the N edge of the summit is a roughly rectangular hollow measuring about 16m from E to W by 3m, bounded on the N with an overgrown rubble wall 0.3m high and sub-divided by another rubble wall. There is a similar structure at the E end of the site at the lower level. It measures approximately 9m by 4m and has a 1m break in the S side. Both of these two rectangular depressions are interpreted as buildings. Abutting the S end of the larger, northernmost building is a hollow which seems to have been enclosed by a bank or wall, but its purpose is uncertain. Traces of a wall are to be found round part of the W edge of the summit. The steep-sided gully on the S side of the knoll, which isolates it from the spur of which it was once part, is probably a natural water-worn channel, possibly enhanced for added defence. There is no indication to suggest an earlier fortification, such as a dun or a fort, occupied the site before the castle's construction in the late 12th or early 13th centuries. The area to be scheduled is roughly oval o

From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.