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Affleck Castle

Heritage Site in Angus

Scotland

Affleck Castle

Looking east from the side of the Monikie Reservoirs Looking down on the small hamlet of Craigton, it’s school and cherry trees in bloom. I wonder what the outline of the rectangular building in the foreground used to be?
Looking east from the side of the Monikie Reservoirs Credit: Andrew Shannon

Affleck Castle, located in Angus, Scotland, is a notable heritage site steeped in history. Situated on the banks of the River Isla, the castle dates back to the 15th century and is a remarkable example of Scottish medieval architecture.

The castle was originally constructed by the Affleck family, who were prominent landowners in the region. It consists of a four-story tower house, surrounded by a curtain wall and a courtyard. The tower house is characterized by its robust stone construction, with thick walls and small windows, showcasing typical defensive features of the era.

Throughout its history, Affleck Castle has witnessed various renovations and additions, reflecting changing architectural styles and functions. In the 16th century, a range of buildings was constructed within the castle walls, including a chapel, a great hall, and additional accommodation. The chapel, with its beautiful stained glass windows and intricate stone carvings, is an exquisite feature that has survived to this day.

During the 17th century, the castle underwent further modifications, including the addition of a grand staircase and the installation of decorative plasterwork. However, much of the castle was left in ruins after the Jacobite uprisings in the 18th century.

Today, Affleck Castle stands as a partially restored ruin, offering visitors a glimpse into its fascinating past. The castle is open to the public, allowing visitors to explore its remains, including the tower house, courtyard, and chapel. With its rich history and architectural beauty, Affleck Castle continues to captivate visitors, providing a tangible link to Scotland's medieval heritage.

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Affleck Castle Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.537/-2.822 or Grid Reference NO4938. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Looking east from the side of the Monikie Reservoirs Looking down on the small hamlet of Craigton, it’s school and cherry trees in bloom. I wonder what the outline of the rectangular building in the foreground used to be?
Looking east from the side of the Monikie Reservoirs
Looking down on the small hamlet of Craigton, it’s school and cherry trees in bloom. I wonder what the outline of the rectangular building in the foreground used to be?
Monikie Reservoirs Country Park A trio of walkers approaches the reservoirs from the direction of the car park.
Monikie Reservoirs Country Park
A trio of walkers approaches the reservoirs from the direction of the car park.
Monikie Reservoirs The beach at the north-west corner of the largest of the Monikie reservoirs, which is evidently popular with the flock of Mallards.
Monikie Reservoirs
The beach at the north-west corner of the largest of the Monikie reservoirs, which is evidently popular with the flock of Mallards.
Denfind Pond This is the smallest of the three reservoirs at Monikie, and as far as I can see is the only one with a name of its own. It seems to have a long and gruesome history, being derived from 'Fiend's Den'. The following is from A J Warden's five-volume set of books about Angus or Forfarshire: "The lands of Denfind were included in the barony of Downie, but, like other portions of the barony, Denfind was for a long time a distinct estate, and had its castle, the residence of the laird. The lands remain but the tower or castle disappeared long ago. "A little to the west of the farmhouse of Denfind, formerly Dunfind, there is a deep ravine called Denfiend, through which a rivulet runs. It is called the Fiend's Den, because a brigand with his family dwelt in it. He had an execrable fashion to all young men and children that he could steal or obtain by other means, and take them home and eat them. The younger they were he held them the more tender and delicate. For these acts he was burned with his wife, bairns, and family, except a young lass of one year old, who was saved and taken to Dundee, where she was brought up, but when she came to women's years, she was condemned and burned quick for the same crime her father and mother were convicted of. A great crowd, chiefly women, attended at the execution, cursing her for her crimes. To them she said, 'Why chide ye me as if I had committed a crime. Give me credit, if ye had the experience of eating human flesh you would think it so delicious that you would never forbear it again'. And so she died, without sign of repentance."
Denfind Pond
This is the smallest of the three reservoirs at Monikie, and as far as I can see is the only one with a name of its own. It seems to have a long and gruesome history, being derived from 'Fiend's Den'. The following is from A J Warden's five-volume set of books about Angus or Forfarshire: "The lands of Denfind were included in the barony of Downie, but, like other portions of the barony, Denfind was for a long time a distinct estate, and had its castle, the residence of the laird. The lands remain but the tower or castle disappeared long ago. "A little to the west of the farmhouse of Denfind, formerly Dunfind, there is a deep ravine called Denfiend, through which a rivulet runs. It is called the Fiend's Den, because a brigand with his family dwelt in it. He had an execrable fashion to all young men and children that he could steal or obtain by other means, and take them home and eat them. The younger they were he held them the more tender and delicate. For these acts he was burned with his wife, bairns, and family, except a young lass of one year old, who was saved and taken to Dundee, where she was brought up, but when she came to women's years, she was condemned and burned quick for the same crime her father and mother were convicted of. A great crowd, chiefly women, attended at the execution, cursing her for her crimes. To them she said, 'Why chide ye me as if I had committed a crime. Give me credit, if ye had the experience of eating human flesh you would think it so delicious that you would never forbear it again'. And so she died, without sign of repentance."
Monikie Reservoirs The wooded island is one of three in the southern part of the main Monikie reservoirs.
Monikie Reservoirs
The wooded island is one of three in the southern part of the main Monikie reservoirs.
Mirrored Island An almost monochrome view on a very dreich day.
Mirrored Island
An almost monochrome view on a very dreich day.
Corbelled Turret This is a modern house with a traditional feature, a square turret on corbels on a round turret.
Corbelled Turret
This is a modern house with a traditional feature, a square turret on corbels on a round turret.
Craigton Coach Inn That's what the maps name it as, but it's actually the former Craigton Coach Inn. It was originally the manse belonging to the United Free Church next door, which has since been demolished. It was a popular pub, but closed down in 2019, blaming 'greedy discount voucher firms' for its demise, though it may be that its location and the rules on drink-driving may have played their part.
Craigton Coach Inn
That's what the maps name it as, but it's actually the former Craigton Coach Inn. It was originally the manse belonging to the United Free Church next door, which has since been demolished. It was a popular pub, but closed down in 2019, blaming 'greedy discount voucher firms' for its demise, though it may be that its location and the rules on drink-driving may have played their part.
Monikie Reservoirs On the right is the North Settling Reservoir and to the left is the South Settling Reservoir, the two separated by a raised causeway. The Monikie reservoirs were built in the mid-19th century as part of the provision of clean water for the city of Dundee, but have been superseded by larger, more recent reservoirs.
Monikie Reservoirs
On the right is the North Settling Reservoir and to the left is the South Settling Reservoir, the two separated by a raised causeway. The Monikie reservoirs were built in the mid-19th century as part of the provision of clean water for the city of Dundee, but have been superseded by larger, more recent reservoirs.
Monikie Reservoirs I'm sure there must be a specific term for walkways like this that give access to where water is drawn off reservoirs.
Monikie Reservoirs
I'm sure there must be a specific term for walkways like this that give access to where water is drawn off reservoirs.
Waterlogged Field Most of the fields in the area are just as soggy as this one, following several spells of wet weather. Beyond the field is the embankment that carried the Dundee and Forfar railway line, and the farm in the background is West Hillhead.
Waterlogged Field
Most of the fields in the area are just as soggy as this one, following several spells of wet weather. Beyond the field is the embankment that carried the Dundee and Forfar railway line, and the farm in the background is West Hillhead.
Reservoir Overflow This channel seems to be the overflow that controls the water level in the North Settling Pond. It discharges into a ditch that drains into the Monikie Burn.
Reservoir Overflow
This channel seems to be the overflow that controls the water level in the North Settling Pond. It discharges into a ditch that drains into the Monikie Burn.
Reservoir Feeder This burn seems to be the principal feeder into the North Settling Pond at Monikie Reservoirs.
Reservoir Feeder
This burn seems to be the principal feeder into the North Settling Pond at Monikie Reservoirs.
Reservoir Infrastructure It looks as if this may have been a draw-off tower when the reservoirs were being used for their original purpose of suuplying clean water to the city of Dundee.
Reservoir Infrastructure
It looks as if this may have been a draw-off tower when the reservoirs were being used for their original purpose of suuplying clean water to the city of Dundee.
Track to East Hillhead Later cutting through the trackbed of the old Dundee and Forfar Direct Railway.
Track to East Hillhead
Later cutting through the trackbed of the old Dundee and Forfar Direct Railway.
Bus shelter by Monikie Primary School In the village of Craigton.
Bus shelter by Monikie Primary School
In the village of Craigton.
Monikie Reservoir A chilly scene at Monikie Reservoir
Monikie Reservoir
A chilly scene at Monikie Reservoir
Chilly Monikie Reservoir
Chilly Monikie Reservoir
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Affleck Castle is located at Grid Ref: NO4938 (Lat: 56.537, Lng: -2.822)

Unitary Authority: Angus

What 3 Words

///couriers.buildings.wealth. Near Monifieth, Angus

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 56.537,-2.822
Monikie
Place: village
Population: 416
Source: NPE
Wikidata: Q6900246
Wikipedia: en:Monikie
Lat/Long: 56.5378741/-2.8151844
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bus Stop
Village Shop
Local Ref: AT
Naptan AtcoCode: 6490IM1155
Naptan Bearing: W
Naptan CommonName: Village Shop
Naptan Indicator: at
Naptan NaptanCode: 26425296
Naptan Street: Hillhead Road
Naptan Verified: no
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 56.5376982/-2.8148667
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bus Stop
Broomwell Gardens
Naptan AtcoCode: 6490IM175
Naptan Bearing: W
Naptan CommonName: Broomwell Gardens
Naptan Indicator: at Broomwell Gardens
Naptan Landmark: Broomwell Gardens
Naptan NaptanCode: 26425293
Naptan Street: Broomwell Gardens
Naptan Verified: no
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 56.5392897/-2.8201372
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bus Stop
Broomwell Gardens
Naptan AtcoCode: 6490IM1810
Naptan Bearing: E
Naptan CommonName: Broomwell Gardens
Naptan Indicator: opp Broomwell Gardens
Naptan NaptanCode: 26425935
Naptan Street: Hillhead Road
Naptan Verified: no
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 56.5394106/-2.8195218
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bus Stop
Village Shop
Naptan AtcoCode: 6490IM9154
Naptan Bearing: NW
Naptan CommonName: Village Shop
Naptan Indicator: opp
Naptan NaptanCode: 26425978
Naptan Street: Hillhead Road
Naptan Verified: no
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 56.5378072/-2.8146902
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.5368591/-2.8298875
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.5370188/-2.828718
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.5374967/-2.8275309
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.5378748/-2.8266587
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
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