Montrose Castle

Montrose Castle is one of a number of royal castles that have vanished without archaeological trace. It was probably established in the 12th century at the same time the port was granted burghal status by David I, but its location is unconfirmed. It was probably relatively simple in design, a walled courtyard within a ditch – most likely wet – and was in use into the Wars of Independence.

The castle was used repeatedly by King William, and by Edward I in 1296, although the castle was probably destroyed soon afterwards. By the late 15th century, when “the capital messuage and place of the Castle of Montrose, vulgarly called the Castlestead of Montrose” was granted to David Lindsay, the castle was in ruins and what remains was almost certainly demolished soon after. It is possible that the castle was in the vicinity of Castlestead House, at the southern end of the High Street.

HES Canmore database entry