OS1/13/93/30

Continued entries/extra info

[page] 30

Maiden Castle Continued from page 29

[Quotation]
" At the Eastern extremity of the
parish, and in the immediate
vicinity of the village of Kennoway,
are to be Seen the Vestiges of ancient fortifications,
running along a narrow but Somewhat elevated ridge of Sand hills,
commanding the surrounding plain. Whether the Scots, Romans, or Danes
were its first occupants, it is now impossible to determine. That it
has been the Scene of some bloody conflict is evident from the number
of Stone Coffins containing human bones, that have been dug up in the immediate
neighbourhood. Farther Westward in the direction of Markinch, weapons of War
peculiar to the Romans, have from time to time been found. The highest point of
the Ridge in question Rises to the height of perhaps 80 feet above the Stream which
runs at the foot of it. On this Knoll, the Pretorium or Citadel known by the name of the
Maiden Castle, has stood. Its form has been that of a Square, and it measures about 30 paces across
According to Boethius, this was a castle of Macduff, thane of Fife. His description of it is
Sufficiently precise, and is valuable as the only plausible record concerning a Spot, that
has once evidently been of Some importance." New Stat. Acct. [Statistical Account]

[Quotation]
"South of the Village of Kennoway is a little hill fenced on the South Side
with foussees, called the Maiden Castle. Some make it a seat of
Macduff Earl of Fife, but there is no room on that Hill for a house
to lodge a person of any grandeur." Sibbald's Fife & Kinross

[Note] I have inserted 3 parallell ditches Separating Maiden Castle from the narrow ridge alluded to - which is all the vestiges I saw. John Bayly Capt. R.E [Captain, Royal Engineers]

[Note] Referred to that period in the writing of the name.

[Note] There is not space for a large residential Castle, but there is for a Fortalice. John.B. Capt. R.E. [Captain, Royal Engineers.]