Description

ARGYLE BATTERY, MILLS MOUNT BATTERY AND LOW DEFENCES: John Romer, 1730-7, built by William Adam, incorporating earlier fabric and with later alterations and additions. Ashlar-coped random rubble fortifications with 2 corbelled out stone ball-finialled domed circular-plan sentry boxes. Crenellated to W, gun loops to E.

DURY'S BATTERY AND BUTT'S BATTERY: Captain Theodore Dury, 1708-13. Random rubble fortifications with segmental-arched gun embrasures.

FOREWALL BATTERY: 1544, incorporating earlier fabric, heightened 1573. Ashlar-coped fortification with segmental-arched gun embrasures. Ogee-roofed square-plan stone corner turret to N. Well (see Notes) with parapet wall, 1913.

HALF-MOON BATTERY: 1573-88. Massive semicircular random rubble fortification, 4 receeding tiers with string courses. Encloses remains of 2 lower stories of David's Tower (see Notes). Segmental-arched gun loop (part of David's Tower); parapet with segmental-arched gun embrasures, rebuilt 1689-95.

WESTERN DEFENCES: John Romer, 1730-7, built by William Adam, incorporating earlier fabric and with later alterations and additions. Ashlar-coped random rubble angled fortifications swept to corbelled out stone ball-finialled domed circular-plan sentry box. The upper terrace was built in 1858.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The particular value which is placed on Affleck stems from its structural completeness and the absence of any significant alterations despite over two and a half centuries of occupation. As a result it not only gives an unusually clear picture of the domestic requirements of a substantial laird of the eastern counties in about 1500, but provides remarkable evidence for the innate conservatism of many such families in the following centuries.

Beyond this Affleck is also accepted as outstanding for the unusually high qualities of its masonry and carved details. These characteristics are individually represented at other tower houses but at no other are they found in the same equilibrium as at Affleck; and these characteristics give Affleck its national importance among tower houses. Its importance is reflected in its status as a Property in Care of the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NO43NE 14.
Historic Environment Scotland Properties
Affleck Castle
https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/
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Related Designations

AFFLECK CASTLELB17609
Designation TypeListed Building (A)StatusRemoved

Source: Historic Environment Scotland