"Cullen Castle, Banffshire", Pen and brown ink and grey wash over black chalk on paper, 35.60 x 51.00 cm. (Now in Moray)

Cullen Castle was a royal castle about 0.5 miles (0.80 km) west of Cullen, Moray, Scotland, west of the burn of Deskford, and south of Seatown. The remains have been designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument, accessible to the public.[1] This is not to be confused with Cullen House or Castle of Cullen of Buchan. There is also a ruin of a Cullen Castle in County Waterford, Ireland.

History

Elizabeth de Burgh, the wife of Robert the Bruce died here, although it has been suggested this was at an earlier castle.[2] Vestiges of the castle remained until the 19th century.[3]

Structure

It is believed that the castle, on Castle Hill, was a motte, encircled by a wide ditch and outer rampart, except on the north where a landslip has destroyed it. The ditch is about 6.0 metres (19.7 ft) wide and 1.75 metres (5 ft 9 in) deep; the outer bank is about 6.0 metres (19.7 ft) wide and 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) high.[4]

The mound of the motte has been covered by a network of ancient paths. Excavations were conducted in February–October 2017 to restore parts of the network and minimise erosion. Eight test pits were dug of which seven located the main path. The other one was dug in an area less disturbed by foot traffic and did not locate the path despite being excavated to a depth of 150 millimetres (5.9 in). Foundation bases for picnic tables and benches and a replacement flagpole socket were installed during the excavations. No finds or features of archaeological interest were found.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Historic Environment Scotland. "Cullen Castle (SM355)". Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  2. ↑ "Cullen Castle". Stravaiging around Scotland. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  3. ↑ Coventry, Martin (2001). The Castles of Scotland. Musselburgh: Goblinshead. p. 138 ISBN 1-899874-26-7
  4. 1 2 "Cullen, Castle Hill". Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 25 August 2016.

57°41′25″N 2°49′32″W / 57.69036°N 2.8256°W / 57.69036; -2.8256

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