OS1/3/21/33
| List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAIGHT CASTLE (Site of) | Laicht or Laight Castle Laight Castle Laight Castle Laight Castle Laight Castle (ruins) |
- . A. Hervey W. Gilchrist W. G. Galloway Johnston's County Map |
046 | The remains of this Stronghold can Scarcely be traced now. It appears however to be of a rectangular Shape. A heap of rubbish Still remains in the middle of the Site. Whatever Stones remain in it, were taken away by the present Occupier of the Farm (Mr. J. Walker) to build dykes adjacent; So that its present appearance is a Small heap covered with grass. The Situation it occupied was well chosen for both [Strength] and defence, on a Small flat, Surrounded on three Sides by a deep precipitous Rocky Cliff between 70 and 80 feet high, portions of which project and overhang. The only two points of the Cliff [that] is or was accessible was defended by a dry ditch in which 10 or 12 men placed with plenty of large Stones at their Command would be able to defy a thousand. The land or East Side was defended by another dry ditch, and from its present appearance must have been formidable. There was a gate or Bridge on it but probably it was a gate as the fosse is not Sunk here like the other parts on each Side, but nearly level with the ground to and from the Castle (See Trace) The Site of a water-tank is Still very plain but partly filled with rubbish Mr. Walker says when they were removing the Stones they found it entirely lined with a very hard kind of Clay or plaster. to prepent [prevent] no doubt the Water from Oozing through, There is a probability it was in this Spot that Alpin was buried it was in view of the battle field however turn over [continued] |
Continued entries/extra info
[Page] 33Parish of damellington Sheet 46 Plan 7
"The other castle (in the parish) has been a more considerable
"structure, and must have been from its situation, literally a place of
"strength, - and security also. The site of its is a projecting point on a
" deep glen side, quite precipitous, or rather overhanging, on three sides;
"the fourth side has had the usual protection of a fosse. From some
"traditionary connection with the history of Alpine, the 68th King of
" the Scots, it is called Leight, or Laght Alpine."
Statistical Account (1842)
"On the farm of Laicht, possessed by John Walker Esq, we
"were particularly interested by a visit to the site of the old castle of that
"name, and the field where Alpin, king of Scots, was defeated by the Lowlanders
"of Ayrshire, then forming part of the kingdom of Alcluyd. Landing
"at Ayr in 843, Alpin, with a formidable army from Kintyre, is said by
"our historians to have followed the course of the Doon, burning & devastating
the --- [Continued]
Transcriber's notes
Continued on page 34Transcribers who have contributed to this page.
Chr1smac -Moderator, hillhere
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