Lickprivick Castles


As part of the research for the documentary we investigated the history of Lickprivick Castle, the site of power for the Lickprivick Family, who were prominent in the area during the middle ages. The site of the castle, which was in ruins by the late 16th Century, has numerous references to it in historical maps and documents, is now part of the estate of Greenhills.

To find out more about the castle we asked Hugh McBrien West Of Scotland Archeaological Society to come along to investigate for us. His investigation started at an area known locally as the High Point.

From his expert assessment of the site and vast experience of other similar sites throughout Britain, Hugh McBrien suggested that the High Point could have been the site for an earth and timber castle, the earlier site of Lickprivick Castle which is not listed in historical records. Hugh also assessed the site of the stone castle that is well documented and listed in various historical records and maps.

Hugh McBrien described the layout of both the earth and timber castle and the later stone castle, what other buildings would have been at the sites, the type of materials used to build them and what they would have looked like.

From his assessments Axis Animation, a Glasgow based 3-D Animation company who have produced work for the likes of the Disney Corporation, used all their skills to re-create the castles, and what you see here are the final animations that were produced and used in the documentary.

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Animations from video

Castle Shot 1. A view of the outside of the later stone version of Lickprivick Castle, showing it’s "barmkin" enclosure.   Watch High Bandwidth - (2947k)   Watch Low Bandwidth - (224k)

Castle Shot 2. Another view showing more detail of the roof and it’s battlements, although more decorative in nature, still showing the partial defensive nature of Scottish Baronial tower houses during that time.   Watch High Bandwidth - (6208k)   Watch Low Bandwidth - (670k)

Castle Shot 3. Here we can see the other buildings that would have been part of the “barmkin” enclosure, probably stables, outhouses and possibly a kitchen.   Watch High Bandwidth - (2232k)   Watch Low Bandwidth - (276k)

Castle Shot 4. Here we can see in more detail the outside of the “barmkin” enclosure and just how imposing and impressive the Baronial tower house of Lickprivick Castle would have been in relation, to the surrounding lands. It would have made a real statement to visitors and neighbours alike.   Watch High Bandwidth - (3956k)   Watch Low Bandwidth - (441k)

Castle Shot 5. This shot shows the types of windows, both defensive and decorative in nature, and some of the finer detailed stonework that would have been used to dress the windows and corners of the building.   Watch High Bandwidth - (8500k)   Watch Low Bandwidth - (1048k)

Castle Shot 6. This shot shows the structure of the walls and how they would have been constructed. An outer and inner skin, some eight or nine feet across, made from sandstone, and the inner part of the wall filled in with rubble or “whinstone”.   Watch High Bandwidth - (464k)   Watch Low Bandwidth - (85k)

End Shot. This shot shows the relationship between the two castle sites. The earlier earth and timber castle would have been on the High Point to take advantage of the defensive nature of the higher ground and the all round views you get from there, while the later stone castle would have followed a typical pattern and moved further down the hill to escape the prevailing winds and weather conditions, finding shelter in the “lee” of the hill.   Watch High Bandwidth - (5876k)   Watch Low Bandwidth - (612k)

Fort shot 1. Axis Animation used detailed Ordnance Survey data to recreate the actual landscape of the area round the High Point, showing it’s prominence and the ideal location for a defensive enclosure that would dominate the area. They have used this information to recreate the landscape that would have been there at the time, showing how the hill at the High Point would have been excavated and shaped by men into a squarer, defensive location. Once the earth had been excavated this hill would have been supplemented by a wooden palisade, forming the enclosure of the earlier site of Lickprivick Castle.   Watch High Bandwidth - (6085k)   Watch Low Bandwidth - (924k)

Fort Shot 2. This shot shows the outside of the enclosure and the wooden palisade fence, that would have been formed round the outside of the piled up earth, forming a defensive enclosure.   Watch High Bandwidth - (1530k)   Watch Low Bandwidth - (120k)

Fort Shot 3. Here we go through the main gateway entrance of the castle into the enclosure, showing the main residence and “solar” hall on the left hand side, where the Lickprivick Family would have lived, and the outhouses, stables and kitchens on the right that the servants would have used.   Watch High Bandwidth - (4794k)   Watch Low Bandwidth - (664k)

Fort Shot 4 The defensive nature of the site is emphasized here by showing the walkways that would have run round the top of the wooden walls allowing sentries to keep watch, and very quickly close the gates and defend the position should any enemies or undesired visitors call.   Watch High Bandwidth - (2151k)   Watch Low Bandwidth - (293k)

Fort Shot 5 Here we can see how the window in the “solar” hall is positioned perfectly to catch the Sun, allowing light to flood into the main family residence.   Watch High Bandwidth - (1653k)   Watch Low Bandwidth - (271k)

Fort Shot 6. Inside the main hall we can see that there is a raised “deus” at one end, where the Laird of Lickprivick would have sat, making decisions and ruling the district. In this position he would be ideally placed to catch the Sunlight and emphasise his exalted position in society.   Watch High Bandwidth - (1390k)   Watch Low Bandwidth - (195k)

Fort Shot 7. This shows the outhouses, stables and stores that would have run down one side of the enclosure. Then we track into see the Watchtower that would have been sat astride the artificial man made mound.   Watch High Bandwidth - (5761k)   Watch Low Bandwidth - (732k)

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