Kilravock Castle, Dovecote and Garden Walls

A composite building dating from mid-15th to mid-20th

century, sited on steeply sloping, SE facing site. Rubble

tower and dovecote, remainder harled with ashlar margins and

dressings.

Large square rubble built keep, circa 1460, with corbelled

and crenellated wallwalk, angle bartizans, cap house and

square south angle turret, forms NE arm of U-plan entrance

court. Tower linked to long, SE facing 17th century range by

square 17th century stair tower with ground floor entrance

in NW (now masked from outside by service passage). Moulded

doorpiece, decorated with crude stars and rosettes, gives

onto square stair well rising 3 storeys.

17th century mansion of 3 storeys (ground vaulted), 6

irregular bays with angle and near centre projecting stair

turrets; 4 swept dormers rise through wallhead. Later wings

of 2 builds and varying height project at NW to complete rear

court; rear NW elevation has later 18th century centre

projecting stair compartment, with centre entrance masked by

small square projecting crenellated porch.

Small, sympathetic, 3-storey over basement single bay service

wing in SE angle. Further 2-storey, irregular 5-bay rubble

service range at NE linked to main dwelling by harled wall

with ashlar cope and segmental headed, margined entrance to

form service court.

Later 18th century Venetian window in SW elevation (drawing

room). Multi-pane glazing. Pair bee boles in base of mansion

in SE elevation. 2 mural sundials at angles of main SE

elevation.

Ridge and end stacks; crowsteps; slate roofs.

Interior; 15th century tower retains original plan form, with

mural wheel stair giving access to 4 floors and wallhead

walk. Modern chimney piece with carved quotation replaces

original in 1st floor hall, with corbelled and beamed

ceiling. 17th century range re-modelled and coved drawing

room ceiling with Adamesque chimney piece. Later 18th century

stair case with carved balusters, in north entrance wing and

entrance hall, which also contains re-sited ornate 1662

chimney piece (from 1st floor hall in old tower).

Dovecote; sited at south corner of castle to which it is

linked by section of former barmkin wall. 2-stage 15th/16th

century corner tower, with stone seated privy in ground floor

chamber and pigeon loft above, with door and small square

flanking pitching-eye, formerly fitted with iron yett. 19th

century shallow pyramidal slate roof, raised at centre to

accommodate flight holes.

Garden Walls; rubble garden wall with dressed stone cope and

segmental headed arched entrance, possibly incorporating

sections of earlier castle barmkin, fronting 19th century

walled garden.

Lands of Kilravock acquired by Hugh Rose of Geddes in 13th

century and in same family ever since. Keep thought to date

from circa 1460, when the Baron of Kilravock obtained a

licence from Lord of the Isles to build defensive tower. By

tradition an earlier building, cell or chapel was sited where

the abvesite now stands. Prince Charles Edward dined at

Kilravock before Battle of Culloden, and Duke of Cumberland

visited castle soon afterwards. Robert Burns visited Sept 6,

1787.

Entrance hall re-sited chimney piece dated 1662, initialled

HR and MI for Hugh Rose and Margaret Innes, married that

year. 1631 datestone at NW corner of house, inscribed NON EST

SALUS NISI IN CHRISTO and initialled WR, came from Old Nairn

Bridge in Nairn, built by Provost William Rose.

Pigeon loft only accessible by ladder; pitching eye for

ejection of pigeon manure.

What is a listed building?

Designation is the legal recognition of some of Scotland’s most important historic sites and places. Historic Environment Scotland (HES) designates scheduled monuments, listed buildings, historic battlefields, and gardens and designed landscapes.

HES makes recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Listing is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for buildings of special architectural or historic interest as set out in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.

HES list buildings which are found to be of special architectural or historic interest using the selection guidance published inDesignation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019) - external link.

About listed building records

Listed building records, like this one, provide an indication of the special architectural or historic interest of the listed building which has been identified by its statutory address. The description and additional information provided are supplementary and have no legal weight.

These records are not definitive historical accounts or a complete description of the building(s). If part of a building is not described it does not mean it is not listed. The format of the listed building record has changed over time. Earlier records may be brief and some information will not have been recorded.

Legal requirements

The legal part of the listing is the address/name of site which is known as the statutory address. Other than the name or address of a listed building, further details are provided for information purposes only.

HES does not accept any liability for any loss or damage suffered as a consequence of inaccuracies in the information provided. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing. Even if a number or name is missing from a listing address it will still be listed.

Listing covers both the exterior and the interior and any object or structure fixed to the building. Listing also applies to buildings or structures not physically attached but which are part of the curtilage (or land) of the listed building as long as they were erected before 1 July 1948.

While HES is responsible for designating listed buildings, the planning authority is responsible for determining what is covered by the listing, including what is listed through curtilage. However, for listed buildings designated or for listings amended from 1 October 2015, legal exclusions to the listing may apply.

If part of a building is not listed, it will say that it is excluded in the statutory address and in the statement of special interest in the listed building record. The statement will use the word ’excluding’ and quote the relevant section of the 1997 Act. Some earlier listed building records may use the word ’excluding’, but if the Act is not quoted, the record has not been revised to reflect subsequent legislation.

Planning and consents

Listed building consentis required for changes to a listed building which affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest. The relevant planning authority is the point of contact for applications for listed building consent.

Further information

Searchtrove.scot for information on scheduling andother designationsor visitHistoric Environment Scotland - external link.

You can also contact us on 0131 668 8914 ordesignations@hes.scot - external link