Dundarg Castle, Aberdeenshire
Photo © Des Colhoun, 26 November 2006
Dundarg Castle, Aberdeenshire
Photo © Des Colhoun, 26
November 2006
Dundarg Castle is a ruined castle about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) north-northeast of New Aberdour, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It was one of the The Nine Castles of Knuckle.
It was built in the thirteenth century by the Comyn family, and subsequently dismantled, probably by Robert the Bruce, in 1308. It was rebuilt in 1334, but destroyed almost immediately, after a famous siege. Evidence of this double destruction was confirmed by excavations during 1911-12 and in 1950-51 (led by W. Douglas Simpson) when many medieval objects were found.
The only substantial part of the castle remaining is the inner gatehouse, which
survives to a height of about 18 feet (5.5 m). The upper part was rebuilt about
the middle of the sixteenth century, probably following the Coastal Defence
Commission of 1550, and there is some evidence that it was provided with gunloops
at this time. The site was finally abandoned in the mid-17th century, and a
house was built on part of it in 1938.
DUNDARG CASTLE ABERDEENSHIRE
The castle of Dundargue, also, stands here, which Sir Thomas Beaumont fortified
and garrisoned, in right of his wife, daughter to the Earl of Buchan, when he
accompanied Edward Baliol, who came to claim the kingdom of Scotland.
This castle was of great importance in the feudal times, and is famed for a long siege in 1336, when Henry de Beaumont, the English Earl of Buchan, capitulated to Murray, Regent of Scotland, during the captivity of David Bruce. On the coast is a cave called Cowshaven, which is celebrated as the hiding-place of Lord Pitsligo, after the battle of Culloden: this retreat was at last discovered by the impressions on the snow, of the footsteps of a woman who supplied him with food; and he was obliged to flee thence for safety.
TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY SCOTLAND VOL. I.