Excavations at Threave Castle, Galloway, 1974–78

EXCAVATIONS AT THREAVE CASTLE between 1974 and 1978 have revealed the full extent of the artillery-work that was wrapped around the late 14th-century tower-house of the ‘Black Douglas’ family and have proposed a date of c. 1450 for its construction. The foundations of two stone buildings, dismantled to make way for this artillery-work, have been re-excavated. Excavation elsewhere in the outer enclosure has recovered plans of other outbuildings and evidence of industrial activity.Many artefacts came from the water-logged deposits within the harbour. They include an important collection of wooden tableware made for the ‘Black Douglas’, a sizeable amount of leather and animal bone but little ceramic material.The report includes a summary of the island's recorded history and a brief architectural description of the standing remains.