Claypotts Castle

Claypotts Castle, Dundee

Photograph by Ydam. Some rights reserved. (view image details)

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CLAYPOTTS CASTLE FACTS

Location
Dundee, City of Dundee

Description
Claypotts Castle is a located one mile north-west of Broughty Ferry, near Dundee on the east coast of Scotland. The castle is a Z-plan tower house, with a rectangular block with round towers at two of the diagonally opposite corners. This was a popular design in the sixteenth century and allowed for defenders to fire along the faces of the main block from both towers. Claypotts was more of a residential building than a defensive structure though. There are two turnpike stairs (one for the family, one for the staff) in the angles created by the towers. The domestic stair runs right from ground level to the attic. The towers are fairly plain until they reach the square garret chambers perched at the top. It is now in the care of Historic Scotland.

Architecture
Z-plan tower house

History
The castle was originally built by John Strachan between 1569 and 1588. In 1601 the Strachan family sold the castle to Sir William Graham of Ballunie who later sold it to Sir William Graham of Claverhouse. The castle became the property of the crown in 1689 after the death of the then current owner Viscount Dundee John Graham of Claverhouse at the battle of Killiecrankie. In 1694 the castle was gifted to James Douglas, 2nd Marquess of Douglas. Ownership later passed to the 13th Earl of Home through marriage who later gifted the castle to the state in 1926.

Date
16th century

Other Castles in the Area
  Balgonie Castle
  Ballinbreich Castle
  Balvaird Castle
  Broughty Castle
  Dairsie Castle
  Dudhope Castle
  Ethie Castle
  Falkland Palace
  Glamis Castle
  Kellie Castle
  Kinnaird Castle