Affleck Castle in Angus Scotland, Scottish Castles, Tourist Attractions

Affleck Castle - Perfectly Preserved

Affleck Castle is not open to view by the public but the structure is in a remarkable state of preservation. Located nine miles northeast of Dundee, just to the west of the town of Monikie, in Angus, Tayside (route B978) its original builders are not very well known. Affleck Castle was built around 1460, probably by the Auchinleks, who were the hereditary armor-bearers to the powerful Clan Lindsay, Earls of Crawford. The name Auchinleck, pronounced Affleck, is Gaelic, and means "Field of Stones".

Affleck Castle is a fine old building, standing upon the high grounds towards the middle of the parish of Monikie, on the north side. This 15th century four story tower house with its turreted keep has survived five centuries without repairs, alterations or additions. Built of the local red sandstone, Affleck Tower is an L-plan tower, with no decoration on the outside. It was well-designed as a defensive castle with its pair of battlemented cap-houses and gun-ports on the lower levels, but was mainly used for residential purposes and was not a military structure.

It consists of a high double tower of excellent masonry. The ground floor has the castle's cellars with stairs leading to the great or common hall above. This large room has a vaulted ceiling and three large windows, with benches in their bay. The Affleck great hall has no fireplace. A spiral staircase leads to the lord's hall, a small cell and a latrine. Above the lord's hall, via another spiral stairway in the opposite corner is the solarium to the battlements and cap house. A modern house was later built close to it and the family perhaps moved there. This original tower was put to other use. It was used till not long ago as a granary and for other purposes connected with agriculture. On the top of the tower is a flag-staff that was used not for displaying the family ensign or flag to the world, but for hoisting a signal for the reapers to gather to work in the fields at harvest time. It is not clear when and by whom it was erected.