The 13th Century Castle Roy Fortress at Nethybridge Highland Scotland
Castle Roy is one of the simplest, and possibly the oldest, thirteenth-century fortresses in Scotland. It is said to have been a stronghold of the Comyns, but nothing authentic is known of its history. Situated on the edge of Nethy Bridge next to the Old Kirk, it stands elevated above the general valley of the Spey. It consists of the usual high enclosing wall, which crowns a rocky site, raised some 10 to 15 feet above the level of the surrounding fields. The nature of the site has probably rendered a ditch unnecessary, as there is no appearance of there ever having been one. The walls are 7 feet thick, built with strong rubble-work, and are still from 20 to 25 feet high. The enclosed space measures 80 feet from north to south , by 53 feet from east to west within the walls. The entrance is by a doorway, 8 feet wide, in the north wall, the inner pointed arch of which still remains. There is a square tower at the north-west angle, and the remains of a large window near it, which has also a pointed arch in the reveal; but it seems doubtful whether these are not later additions. The north-east angle of the enclosure is complete, without any appearance of any tower ever existed there. At the south-east angle the wall is broken away, as if for the purpose of adding a tower similar to that at the north-west angle, but apparently no tower has ever been built there. The recess in the wall at the south-west angle, which is on the ground level, seems to have been used at latrines. there is a projecting garderobe over this in the upper part of the wall, but no appearance of any tower at this angle either. The building seems to have been simply a large enclosing wall of great height, and no doubt well defended from the parapet, for the purpose of sheltering the vassals and their property. There were probably wooden or other buildings within the enclosure with roofs supported against the curtains, but no trace of these now exists.
Size: 5354px × 3591px
Location: Castle Roy Nethybridge Inverness-shire Scotland
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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