Monument record MHG11882 - Caistel Nan Corr

Caisteal nan Corr (NR) (remains of) (NAT)

The remains of a small rectangular castle in a low-lying meadow which has been almost formed into an island by river. The remains are fragmentary, NW wall having entirely disappeared and others being so ruined that no details remains, but it seems to measure about 29ft by 23 ft over walls 7 ft thick, with no trace of vaulting. It appears to have been surrounded by a ditch. Various forms of name are given eg Castlenincorr (W Macfarlane 1906), Caisteal na Coire (Name Book 1894), Castlemearn (J Mackay 1897 and W Macfarlane 1906), or Caisteil Mearn (J Mackay 1897).
Revised at 1:2500.
RCAHMS 1911, visited 1909; J Mackay 1894; Name Book 1874; W Macfarlane 1906; Visited by OS (R D L) 25 May 1963.

The name "Caisteal nan Corr" is not widely known locally; it is generally named "The Castle". It appears to have been an unvaulted, L-shaped tower-house, so severely robbed that only E wall, and parts of S & NE walls survive above ground, maximum height 2m, and a large part of this is obscured by tumble. The remainder of castle forming the L-shape is visible at best as vague turf-covered footings. The overall measurements are approximately 12.0m E to W by 11.0m N to S, the re-entrant angle being to the NE. The castle stands on a platform, raised about 0.3m above the surrounding flood-plain, and is bounded by a system of modern drainage ditches and wet depressions; some of these ditches may have incorporated a moat. Visited by OS (N K B) 1 November 1976.

Examination of the site revealed that the S wall has the fragmentary remains of a scarcement. Part of a sandstone rotary quern used as a "rubber", was found in the rubble. Retained by writer.
J E Kirby 1976.