This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: swresearch Surnames: Houston, Stewart, Adair Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.scotland.wig.general/803.2.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: >From HISTORY OF THE LANDS AND THEIR OWNERS IN GALLOWAY BY P.H. McKERLIE, F.S.A. SCOT., F.R.G.S.&C.: "It is also stated in the Nial saga, that Kari, Solmund's son, passed the winter, after the battle of Clontarf, with Earl Malcolm, near Whitherne. There can therefore now be no doubt that Cruggleton Castle was built a good many years before the time of Magnus. However, beyond the statement that Earl Malcolm resided near Whithorn, we are left in ignorance as to the name of his residence. Cruggleton castle is near Whithorn, as well as the fortlet of Carghidown, which covered half an acre, on the Tonderghie property, Burgh-head; also Castle Feather, close by, on the estate of Physgill. All were built by the Norsemen. There can be no question that Earl Malcolm resided in one of them, and from the extent of Cruggleton Castle, there is every reason to believe that it was then built, and occupied by him. As already stated, the precipice on which it was situated is fully 200 feet above the sea. It covered about one and a half acres of land. Within the walls, which were battlemented, there was a courtyard, and buildings with eight towers. Another wall lined the interior side of the fosse or moat, fifty feet wide, and very deep, over which was a drawbridge. The gate was strongly fortified, with a guardhouse over it and portcullis. Landward, it was thus, in these times, considered impregnable. On the other side, the sea made it equally so. Immediately under the castle, there was a landing place, where vessels of small burden could be drawn up and secured in tempestuous weather. The means of communication was by a path up the precipice,(???) intersected at the harbour by a gate, having a small guard-house over it, and defended by a portcullis, &c., The path then ascended in a winding direction, and at the battlemented wall was another gate, fortified in the same way." Jim, are you going to walk this path on your next visit ? Perhaps the Castle of Dunskey was given to the Adair / Fitzgerald family by Earl Malcolm ? Archaeology Notes and images of Castle Feather are at : http://www. rcahms.gov.uk/pls/portal/newcanmore.details_gis?inumlink=63137 Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.