Barmoor Castle

Barmoor Castle is largely the result of a substantial renovation and reconstruction carried out in the early 19th century which transformed the ruins of an old tower house into a mansion, which remains occupied, and is now a derelict building considered by English Heritage to be at risk within a caravan park. The north-facing sloping site is not defensively strong, but was the site of a tower house in the early 14th century, by which time the tower itself could have been several decades old.

Barmoor was a property held by the Muschamp family, and a license to crenellate (fortify) the existing manorial centre was issued in 1341 to Thomas de Muschamp. Described as a tower in 1415, it remained in use into the early 16th century, by which time it may have been in disrepair, as by 1541 it was described as in extreme decay, and near ruinous. An attempt to bring it back into use took place in 1584, but the long-term viability of the place was at an end, and made worse by the financial problems of the Muschamps. in 1649 the estate was sold, and the house allowed to fall into ruin. In 1791 it was inherited by Francis Sitwell, who engaged an Edinburgh architect to design and built a baronial mansion – incorporating what remained of the old ruins. The Historic Environment Record notes that the north wall of the main building has walls some 1.5 metres thick, and a large arched fireplace which appears to be of medieval origin in it. Due to its condition, the building is not really safe to access.

Barmoor Castle official website