Drawbridge discovery at Brodick Castle

Derek continued: ‘Standing on the scaffolding, we noticed one slot and then another, each measuring about 50cm high by 5cm wide. Looking down the wall face it was apparent they were located immediately above the main door into the battery. And then the penny dropped, or should we say the drawbridge! It also explains why there is a stepped recess, around 2 metres wide and roughly 20cm deep, in the wall face – the drawbridge would have been raised into this recess to sit flush with the rest of the wall. After further investigation and research, we were able to establish that the holes would have been used to hold the chains that raised and lowered a drawbridge to protect the main entrance to the castle.’

Derek added: ‘It’s thanks to the generosity of our members and supporters that our charity can continue its work to protect Scotland’s rich cultural heritage, share the fascinating stories of the special places in our care and provide access to our country’s nature, beauty and heritage for everyone to enjoy.’

The battery at Brodick was added to protect the main medieval access into the castle, providing a platform for muskets and small artillery pieces. It was traditionally called the ‘Cromwellian battery’, which suggests a 1650s date, although there are now indications that there were earlier structures at this location. The door through the battery was used as the main entrance into the castle, probably until Gillespie Graham’s re-modelling of Brodick in the 1840s, when the main entrance was moved to the south-west end (where visitors now enter). It is thought that the drawbridge was replaced before this time with a simple timber doorway and a short flight of steps built against the wall.

Tom Addyman explained: ‘The slots were most likely to have functioned as “rainures”, which is the technical term for the apertures through which chains would’ve been passed to enable the lowering and raising of a timber drawbridge. This conclusion was reinforced by the form of the eastern slot, which had a down-sloping base.’

The programme of conservation work to Brodick’s exterior in 2023, which was led by our Buildings team, is now nearing completion. Works included repairs to the external stone walls, the castle’s roof and windows. Phase one of the window repairs was partially funded by Historic Environment Scotland’s Annual Repair Grant and allowed the castle to remain open to visitors during the 2023 season.

Ian McLelland, Regional Director for South and West, said: ‘The drawbridge at Brodick Castle is a fascinating discovery and we’re excited to share this with visitors when the castle reopens for the new season. There is still some ongoing conservation of the interior to be completed, but we’re aiming for this work to be completed in April and will minimise any impact to the visitor experience at the castle during this time.’

The conservation work at Brodick Castle contributes to our charity’s conservation goals to improve the condition of our estate, as outlined in our 10-year strategy, launched in 2022, and supports our vision to care for, share and protect Scotland’s nature, beauty and heritage, now and for future generations to enjoy.

Read more about our strategy