Affleck Castle
15th century castle in Angus, Scotland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Affleck Castle, also known as Auchenleck Castle, is a tall L-plan tower house dating from the 15th century, 4 miles (6.4 km) north of Monifieth and 1 mile (1.6 km) west of Monikie Parish Church, Angus, Scotland.[1][2] It is a scheduled monument.[3] It is not open to the public.
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| Affleck Castle | |
|---|---|
| Monikie, Angus | |
The castle in 2014 | |
| Location | |
 | |
| Coordinates | 56.53855°N 2.82437°W |
| Official name | Affleck Castle |
| Type | Secular: castle |
| Designated | 23 November 1987 |
| Reference no. | SM90007 |
History
Structure
Affleck Castle is a well-preserved free-standing rectangular tower of four storeys and a parapeted garret.[5] It is 60 feet (18 m) tall, and has thick rubble walls, with several mural rooms.[2] A few steps down from the entrance is the basement, which is sub-divided.[2]
The hall, which is on the first floor, has a vaulted ceiling; this supports a withdrawing room.[2] Above the main staircase is an entresol bedroom, almost 7 feet (2.1 m) square, reached by an eleven-step staircase in the east wall. The stairs lead from the hall.[2] The withdrawing room has a spy-hole into the hall below.[2] This would have allowed all movement to the main turnpike stair to be observed.[2] The room has window seats, wall closets, and a shafted fireplace.[2] A step up from this room leads to a circular oratory, equipped with aumbry, piscine, holy-water stoup and stone candle-holders.[2] This room is also vaulted.[2] There is a bedroom in each of the upper floors.[2]
A projection by the door, with a square cap-house, houses the stair,[2] and there is a square turret over the south-west angle.[2] There are two devices for dropping missiles or liquids on attackers: one over the arched door; and the other on the west front,[2] while the ground floor is equipped with gun loops.[1]