Caskieben

Caskieben (/kæskiːˈbɛn/ kahs-KEE-ben; Scottish Gaelic: Gasach beinn "Wooded Hill")[1] Caskieben was a palisaded tower built by the Garviach family during the 12th-century Norman expansion into Scotland. It stood on a low, circular mound surrounded by a 2 metre deep, 15 metre wide moat.

Caskieben
Part of Keith Hall
Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Colorized photograph of Keith Hall (Caskieben) near Inverurie, Scotland. Postcard dated June 30th, 1909.
Coordinates57.28203425°N 2.35334179°W / 57.28203425; -2.35334179
Grid referencegrid reference NJ 7879 2135
Typefortalice
Site information
OwnerLord Keith
Controlled byLord Keith
Conditionrenovated
Site history
Built1224
Built byGarvioch
MaterialsStone
Demolished1662
Battles/warsBattle of Inverurie (1308)

This earlier wooden tower was superseded nearby by a 13th-century stone castle also named Caskieben at first, but later renamed Keith Hall.

Nothing now remains of a structure, but the mound and moat are still visible.[2]

History

About 1224 Norman de Leslie received the lands of Caskieben and was doubtless the builder of the Anglo-Norman castle which superseded the old tower (NJ72SE 40). The castle of Caskieben that was enlarged after 1662 by the addition of a Renaissance mansion in front, and renamed Keith Hall, was, however, a fine example of the Z-plan castle, a style which probably originated in the district.

Mither Tap has an astronomical alignment with Caskieben, the hill being due west. Dr. Arthur Johnston said[3] "the hill of Benochie, a conical elevation about eight miles distant, casts its shadow over Caskieben at the periods of the equinox."


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References
  1. "Celtic place-names in Aberdeenshire : with a vocabulary of Gaelic words not in dictionaries ; the meaning and etymology of the Gaelic names of places in Aberdeenshire ; written for the Committee of the Carnegie Trust" "John Milne, 1912" Retrieved on 2015-03-19
  2. Andy Sweet "Caskieben (site of)", Caskieben, Retrieved on 2015-03-13
  3. Robert Chambers, Thomas Thomson "A Biographical Dictionary of Eminent Scotsmen, Volume 2","Arthur Johnston", published 1870
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