Description

The monument consists of the ruined Borve Castle, a rectangular keep or hall-house of probabale late 14th-century date.

The castle measures, externally, some 18.9m E-W by 11.3m N-S, with walls which are on average 2.75m thick, narrowing internally at first and second floor level. The remains survive to a maximum height of 9m and show evidence for at least 2 timber floors above a basement. The N wall has almost entirely gone. The main entrance, reached latterly

via a projecting forebuilding, was at the centre of the S wall at first-floor level. The construction is of rubble set in an extremely hard mortar.

The area to be scheduled includes the upstanding remains of the keep and an area around it, which is likely to contain below-ground remains and evidence of structures and activities associated with the period of construction and use of the castle. It measures 100m NE-SW by 90m NW-SE, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as an example of a medieval keep or hall-house, probably of late 14th century date. Its importance is enhanced both by the traditional attribution of its construction to Amie, first wife of John, Lord of the Isles, and by the fact that such constructions are rare in the Western Isles. Furthermore, the building, together with the associated below-ground remains of the site, have the potential through archaeological excavation to shed important light on the political, social, economic and cultural history of the later Middle Ages.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NF 75 SE 12.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland