Monument record MHG7784 - Fairburn Tower
Summary
No summary available.
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NH 4694 5235 (40m by 40m) (Buffered by site type) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NH45SE |
| Geographical Area | ROSS AND CROMARTY |
| Old County | ROSS-SHIRE |
| Civil Parish | URRAY |
Map
Type and Period (1)
Full Description
Fairburn Tower {NR} (remains of) OS 6"map, (1971)
The ruins of a 16th-17th century tower-house, standing to wall-head, high on a long ridge. It dates from 2 periods, original having been a massive oblong keep with crow-steps and angle-turrets, to SE of which a stair tower 4 storeys and a garret in height has been added in early 17th century. The entrance, in S face of this tower, is defended by gun-loops and shot-holes. The original entrance to the keep has been at first floor level. There has been a courtyard to S and W. Tower, of rough harled masonry, was stronghold of MacKenzies.
D MacGibbon and T Ross 1889; N Tranter 1970
Fairburn Tower, a roofless 16th century tower house, is generally as described. The barrel-vaulted basement is still intact. There is no trace of alleged courtyard. Only some toothing at SE corner of 17th century addition suggests there may have been one. Later, now ruinous, domestic buildings are attached to the W side of the tower and a wooden farm building to the E side.
Visited by OS (J B) 2 May 1975
No change. Visited by RCAHMS (JRS) March 1989.
Full desc (incl desc of 1762) Inverness FC visit, VolVI p116 - HAW 9.2002
Sources/Archives (4)
- --- SHG2443 Text/Publication/Volume: MacGibbon and Ross, D and T. 1896-7. The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century. Vol. 3, 462-5; plan.
- --- SHG2893 Text/Publication/Volume: Tranter, N. 1962-70. The fortified house in Scotland. Vol. 5, 156-7.
- --- SHG3139 Text/Publication/Article: Stell, G. 1986. Architecture and society in Easter Ross before 1707. SHG1943. 99-132. 116-18.
- --- SHG342 Text/Publication/Monograph: OPS. 1855. Origines parochiales Scotiae: the antiquities ecclesiastical and territorial of the parishes of Scotland. 2/2. 519-21.
Finds (0)
Protected Status/Designation
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Record last edited
Aug 31 2009 4:07PM
