Caskieben
| Caskieben | |
|---|---|
| Part of Keith Hall | |
| Aberdeenshire, Scotland | |
Colorized photograph of Keith Hall (Caskieben) near Inverurie, Scotland. Postcard dated June 30th, 1909.
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| Coordinates | 57°16′55″N 2°21′12″W / 57.28203425°N 2.35334179°WCoordinates: 57°16′55″N 2°21′12″W / 57.28203425°N 2.35334179°W |
| Grid reference | grid reference NJ 7879 2135 |
| Type | fortalice |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Lord Keith |
| Controlled by | Lord Keith |
| Condition | renovated |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1224 |
| Built by | Garvioch |
| Materials | Stone |
| Demolished | 1662 |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Inverurie (1308) |
Caskieben (/kæskiːˈbɛn/ kahs-KEE-ben; Scottish Gaelic: Gasach beinn "Wooded Hill") 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 meter deep, 15 meter wide moat.
This earlier wooden tower was superseded nearby by a 13th-century stone castle also named Caskieben at first, but later renamed Keith Hall.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.
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1224 Norman de Leslie received the lands of Caskieben and was doubtless the builder of the Anglo-Norman castle which superseded the old tower (NJ72SE 40).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 "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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