Redcastle

Redcastle (Scottish Gaelic: an Caisteal ruadh), historically known as Edirdovar and Ederdour, is a mediaeval castle in Killearnan on the Black Isle, northern Scotland. It is so named from the colour of the stone of which it is built. The castle is now in a state of ruinous disrepair, although it is protected as a category B listed building.[1]

For places with a similar name, see Red Castle.
Redcastle

The structure has a L-shaped floor plan and is approximately 3-stories. It does not have a roof at this time.

History

Redcastle was until relatively recently one of the oldest inhabited houses in Scotland.[2] A castle on this site was first constructed by William the Lion in 1179 and was known as Edirdovar.[3] The castle was held by Sir John Bysset 1230 and in 1278 by Sir Andrew de Besco. In 1455 the Black Isle was annexed to the Crown.[4]

By 1492 the castle and its lands were under the control of Kenneth Mackenzie, 7th of Kintail, and they remained in the possession of Clan Mackenzie until 1790. The present building is dated 1641 but incorporates earlier work of rubble and ashlar masonry which is typically associated with older structures.[1] Additionally, the castle was remodelled in the 19th century by William Burn.[1] The estate was bought by Colonel H.D. Baillie in 1838 and passed into the ownership of the family of Lord Burton of Dochfour. The castle was requisitioned by the army during World War II and was finally vacated and part stripped in the 1950s.[5]

References
  1. Historic Environment Scotland. "REDCASTLE  (Category B Listed Building) (LB7975)". Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  2. Angus John Beaton, Illustrated Guide to Fortrose and Vicinity (Inverness, W. Mackay, 1885), page 56
  3. William John Watson, Place-names of Ross and Cromarty (Northern Counties Printing and Publishing Co, 1904), pages 142-143
  4. "Redcastle". CANMORE. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 18 March 2010.
  5. Colin Macleod, Unearthing Redcastle’s Hidden History (Ross and Cromarty Heritage Society web-site) (accessed on 18 March 2010)


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