The Foundations of a Tower Fortalice
Within the North West of the property is a workshop. Going unnoticed for years is the 28/29" 80cm thick splayed wall of rough contruction
The 28-Inch 80cm Splayed Wall: Evidence of a Fortified Core
The fabric of Milton of Finavon reveals a much older, more rugged origin than thought even recently.
A section of masonry in the north west of the building was found to be 28/29 inches (80cm) thick at its base. Crucially, the base of this wall splays (batters) inward—a specific engineering technique used to distribute the immense weight of a multi-storey stone tower, the outer face is of boulders and rough stone, which may suggest that the walled battered on both sides.
A splayed base was a diagnostic feature of a fortalice or tower house. This level of masonry was not built for a single-storey outbuilding; it was designed to carry the vertical load of a tower. Its presence at the northwest corner identifies this part of the building as the ancient, defensive "anchor" of the site. Currently this is now only a single storey building with walls which clearly where built to support more.
Historical Context
The 1711 marriage contract (NRS GD6/1406), which provided for Margaret Bennet in the event of James Carnegie’s death, lists the "Tower fortalice and mannor" as part of the baronial holdings. While this was assumed to refer to the medieval Finavon Tower Castle, the physical evidence of this 26-inch splayed wall suggest that the Milton site already possessed its own fortified core and the contract refered in it's entirity to this The House of Finhaven.
During the summer the west lawn shows parch marks. This will now be of great interest into how they may align to to the presence of a since reduced tower.
