Farnell Castle
Farnell Castle is an oblong[1] tower house dating from the late 16th century[2] four miles south of Brechin, Angus, Scotland.[3]
History
The present castle replaces a previous castle on the site, in existence in 1296.[2] The castle originated as the Bishop’s palace of the Bishop of Brechin. Bishop Meldrum called it ‘Palatium Nostrum’ in 1512.[3] It was disposed of in about 1566, supposedly by Donald Campbell. It was turned into a secular castle by Catherine, Countess of Crawford.[3] Subsequently the Earl of Southesk purchased the castle.[3] It was an alms house in the 19th century.[1]
Structure
The castle is a three-storey structure, built from rubble and slate.[1]
The east section, which was the bishop’s residence, has crow-stepped gables. On the north are a projecting garderobe, with sanitary flues. On the east gable, at the level of the floors, there is a double row of corbels, and corbels which appear to have been for the purpose of supporting a roofed gallery. On the northern skewpots are small carved shields. One has the initial M, and a crown above; the other I.M., thought to stand for ‘Jesu Maria’[3] There is a circular stair tower in front.[2]
It is a category A listed building.[1]
There is ruined rectangular lean-to dovecot with rubble walls supported by later buttressing in the castle grounds.[2]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Farnell Castle". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 2013-08-30.
- 1 2 3 4 "Farnell Castle". Canmore. Retrieved 2013-09-04.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Lindsay, Maurice (1986) The Castles of Scotland. Constable. ISBN 0-09-473430-5 p.241
Coordinates: 56°41′23″N 2°36′54″W / 56.6896°N 2.6150°W