Monument record MHG2244 - Enclosure, Red Castle

Summary

No summary available.

Location

Grid reference Centred ND 2749 7469 (60m by 60m) (Buffered by site type)
Map sheet ND27SE
Old County CAITHNESS
Civil Parish CANISBAY
Geographical Area CAITHNESS

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

ND27SE 12 2749 7470.

(ND 2750 7470) Red Castle, small detached rock surrounded at high water. 'The soil on the top presents the appearance of a small basin-like hollow which is without doubt the remains of some very ancient ruin, as embankment on the top seems to be artificial.' (An appended note states 'This is only supposition without any sanction from local or other authority. It is more likely that name is derived from appearance of the rock.') Name Book 1873.

Red Castle is a geo with red sandstone cliffs and a detached pillar of red sandstone. There is a tradition that there was a builidng at the inner end of the geo which collapsed after a night of festivity within. J Mowat 1931.

ND27497470 a turf-covered rock-stack with what may be an enclosure occupying its summit. It comprises a bank, best defined in SE where it is 2m wide and 1m high, partially enclosing an area 6.5m NW-SE by 3.5m. Bank appears to be largely earthen, but at its base on S side are one or two stones which may be part of a wall, but they could be natural, as could bank. No evidence of a structure within enclosed area. Access to summit is by a steep climb from SW. There is no trace of a structure at landward end of any of the nearby geos. Surveyed at 1:2500.
Visited by OS (N K B) 21 May 1982.

1st ed OS shows rectangular building/enclosure "Red Castle" marked on shingle. - HAW 10/2002

Sources/Archives (2)

  • --- Text/Publication/Volume: Mowat, J. 1931. Place-names of Canisbay, Caithness. 32.
  • --- Text/Publication/Volume: Name Book (County). Object Name Books of the Ordnance Survey. Book No. 2, 35.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Record last edited

Jan 28 2008 12:00AM

Comments and Feedback

Do you have any questions or more information about this record? Please feel free to comment below with your name and email address. All comments are submitted to the Heritage Portal maintainers for moderation, and we aim to respond/publish as soon as possible. Comments, questions and answers that may be helpful to other users will be retained and displayed along with the name you supply. The email address you supply will never be displayed or shared.