sutherland-1911/02_151

Transcription

[Page] 104 -- HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION.

PARISH OF KILDONAN.

CASTELLATED AND DOMESTIC STRUCTURES.

306. Helmsdale Castle. - The ruins of Helmsdale Castle occupy a
most commanding position on the end of a steep bank at the S. side
of the mouth of the Helmsdale River, opposite the harbour of Helms-
dale. The structure was evidently of the L form, with a circular
staircase in the angle, but is now a mere shell. The ruin stands to
a height of some 24'. The castle is said to have been erected in
1488 by the seventh Countess of Sutherland, and to have been rebuilt
and repaired by Sir Alexander Gordon of Navidale in 1616. A
lintel from the castle, preserved in the Dunrobin Museum, bears the
following inscription:-
"Si sapiens fore vis, sex serva quae tibi mando
Quid dices, et de quo, ubi, cui, quomodo, quando."
See Cast. and Dom. Arch., v. pp. 294 (plan); Gordon, pp. 8, 79;
Sutherland and the Reay Country, pp. 45 (illus.) and 113.
O.S.M., SUTH ., xc. Visited, 10th August 1909.

DEFENSIVE CONSTRUCTIONS.

307. Broch, Kilphedir. - About 1/2 m. NW. of Salscraggie Lodge,
situated on a hillock which rises on the slope of the hill, and at an
elevation of about 450' above sea level, is the broch of Kilphedir.

[Plan inserted]
Fig. 35. - Broch, Kilphedir (No. 307).

The top of the hillock measures some 220' x 132' (O.S.), and the
broch stands near the centre of it, towards the N. end. The broch
has an interior diameter of 32' from NW. to SE. and 33' from
SW. to NE. The entrance is from the NW. through a passage
15' 6" long, 3' wide at the exterior, and 4' 10" on the interior. At
10' inwards is a rebate of 6" on either side, forming door checks.