OS1/21/5/73

List of names as written Various modes of spelling Authorities for spelling Situation Description remarks
BOTHWELL CASTLE (In Ruins) Bothwell Castle (in ruins) New Statistical Account
Fullarton's Gazetteer
Forest's Co. Map
Revd. Dr. Gardiner
A. Turnbull , Gardiner
Thos. Adams Farm Overseer
Thos. Allison . Gamekeeper
011.07 " The Castle of Bothwell now in ruins is a an ancient & venerable structure. It is situated on the summit of a beautifully sloping green bank with the Clyde sweeping at its base. At the east the remains of the Chapel are plainly discernible from the form of the windows. Vestiges of the fosse are still visible. The well was discovered about 50 years ago in the corner of one of the Towers penetrating through the rock to a good spring. In the front wall there is a circular cavern about 20 feet deep and 12 in diameter, which, from its form is commonly called "Wallaces' Beef Barrel".
Within & around the walls there are several Turrets , distinguished by the names of "Valences Tower", " Douglas Tower" etc. " New Statistical Account.

The walls of the ruins vary in thickness as represented on Trace,& the height, with the exceptions of the Towers, is between 20 and 30 feet. All the walls shown are solid at the base but shattered & broken along the tops. The front or south wall is built upon rock, in some places perpendicular with the masonry, The rock is not more than 7 feet in the steepest part. At the south west angle of this wall - the south,the circular cavern or little tower (without a covering or roof, as shown on Trace) commonly called "Wallaces Beef Barrel" is situated.
The name "Wallaces Beef Barrel", is upon the personal authorities quoted, not considered to be in any way connected with the antiquity of the castle, but rather a modern vulgar term & has therefore not been written on Trace,The name however is well known.
There is a passage through the wall on the east of the " Beef Barrel" and close to it, having stone steps on the outside leading to the passage or doorway, which, from the sliding grooves on each side of the entrance _ outside,appears to have been a little Keep or Postern. to links east of the "barrel" in the v. wall there is a projecting square position, which, like the cavern or "Beef Barrel" has an open uncovered space within it as shown on Trace. The north wall is broken about the centre leaving a wide gap which now forms the principal entrance to he interior of the ruins, which, with the exception of some broken ground between the slope (shown on Trace) & the large western Tower, is a level green. The walls of the Tower are much thicker than the other of the Castle from
LECKETHILL COTTAGE 002.16

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Leckethill Cottage does not appear on this page

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GavinCraig

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