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Dunskey Castle

This castle is in the Dumfries and Galloway Council and the Portpatrick Parish.
Scheduled Monument record on the Portal.
Listed Building record on the Portal.

Description

Dunskey Castle stands on a sheer-sided coastal promontory jutting into the Irish Sea. The castle, which dates to the late 16th century, appears to contain earlier walling and may occupy the site of predecessor on record in the 14th century. It is separated from the mainland by a substantial rock-cut ditch, perhaps a feature of the early castle, and is approached via a causeway.

The main structure of the castle is an L-plan tower house with an additional block in the re-entrant angle containing the stair from first floor level. It has three principal storeys with ground floor cellarage and a broad scale-and-platt stair to the first floor. This latter stair is a insertion and possibly occupies the site of the original kitchen.

The main block contains the hall at first floor and above there are two chambers each with a fireplace. The wing rises higher than the main block and contains one room on each of the upper floors, each with a fireplace. The upper rooms are accessed by a broad circular stair in the re-entrant angle. Attached to the north flank of the tower is a long and narrow three storey wing, the east wall of which incorporates the earlier courtyard wall and arched gateway of the castle. The first floor of this building appears to have been one long room forming a gallery. There are traces of other buildings along the cliff edge.

History

The castle was the seat of the Adairs of Kinhilt and the earliest reference to a castle at Dunskey is from 1330. However, the earliest parts of the present building probably date to the first quarter of the 16th century, after its predecessor was burnt by the McCullochs of Myrton and Cardoness. The scale-and-platt stair and the gallery wing may have been part of the alterations and additions traditionally said to be made by Hugh, first Viscount Montgomery of the Great Ardes who was laird of Dunskey from 1608. Symson describes the castle as wholly ruinous in 1684.

Status

The castle is situated in a very exposed coastal location and the only current access is by way of a coastal path.It has lost much of its dressed stonework. However, despite this, the tower house and attached gallery wing is largely complete. The other buildings on the cliff edge are fragmentary. The present owner has considered Dunskey as a restoration candidate but has not progressed a scheme.

Conservation Options

Despite the missing dressed stone, the tower house and attached gallery wing are sufficiently complete to permit restoration with little need for conjecture, while the planning of the castle would lend itself to modern occupation. However, the remote coastal location, and the difficulties of providing services and access might be problematic for any proposal.

Bibliography

J Gifford, The Buildings of Scotland: Dumfries and Galloway, London, 1996 pp 293-4

D MacGibbon and T Ross, The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland Edinburgh, vol 3, 1887, pp 507-51

The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Inventory of Galloway, 1, County of Wigtown, 1912, pp 138-141

G Stell Dumfries and Galloway, ('Exploring Scotland's Heritage' series ed. by Anna Ritchie), Edinburgh, 1996, 113-114

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