Scheduled Monument

Dirlot CastleSM5897

Status: Designated

Documents

Where documents include maps, the use of this data is subject to terms and conditions (https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/termsandconditions).

The legal document available for download below constitutes the formal designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The additional details provided on this page are provided for information purposes only and do not form part of the designation. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within this additional information.

Summary

Date Added
14/02/1994
Supplementary Information Updated
06/03/2019
Type
Secular: castle; linear earthwork, dyke
Local Authority
Highland
Planning Authority
Highland
Parish
Halkirk
NGR
ND 12609 48643
Coordinates
312609, 948643

Description

The monument consists of the remains of a medieval castle which may date from the fifteenth century. It occupies a steep sided rock outcrop on the W bank of the River Thurso.

The outcrop, over 20m high, is naturally well defended with sheer drops on all sides. Access is easiest on the S side where the rock formations are block-like. The S side of the castle is defended by a curved stone and turf rampart (now with a central gap), about 2m high, extending 9m out from the base of the rock, measuring 25m NW-SE in length and approximately 8m in thickness. The castle occupies the

N portion of the rock summit. Stretches of its outer wall-face are preserved on the S and E, while the S portion of the summit formed a courtyard which had a stone parapet.

The rectangular keep measures 8.7m N-S by 5m over walls 0.7m thick. The courtyard is 9m N-S by 6m. Considerable amounts of stone have fallen from the S and E wall faces. An artificial platform of stones and earth appears to have

been constructed along the E bank of the river to the S of the castle.

The area to be scheduled is irregular, defined to the N and W by the foot of the cliff, to the E by the river bank, and extending S to a line running E-W, the nearest point of which is 20m S of the outer edge of the curved rampart, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a small medieval castle of considerable strength. Although not itself mentioned in charters, the associated lands of which passed to Odo alias Y Makky by Royal charter in 1499. In addition to its historical importance, it may preserve archaeological evidence with the potential to increase our understanding of defensive architecture, technology and construction methods, settlement evolution and material culture during the medieval and early post-medieval period.

References

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as ND 14 NW 5.

About Scheduled Monuments

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Scheduling is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for monuments and archaeological sites of national importance as set out in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

We schedule sites and monuments that are found to be of national importance using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Scheduled monument records provide an indication of the national importance of the scheduled monument which has been identified by the description and map. The description and map (see ‘legal documents’ above) showing the scheduled area is the designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The statement of national importance and additional information provided are supplementary and provided for general information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within the statement of national importance or additional information. These records are not definitive historical or archaeological accounts or a complete description of the monument(s).

The format of scheduled monument records has changed over time. Earlier records will usually be brief. Some information will not have been recorded and the map will not be to current standards. Even if what is described and what is mapped has changed, the monument is still scheduled.

Scheduled monument consent is required to carry out certain work, including repairs, to scheduled monuments. Applications for scheduled monument consent are made to us. We are happy to discuss your proposals with you before you apply and we do not charge for advice or consent. More information about consent and how to apply for it can be found on our website at www.historicenvironment.scot.

Find out more about scheduling and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.

Images

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Printed: 29/03/2024 14:17