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Aberscors

Aberscors was the seat of the Murray family, a sept of Clan Sutherland, who seem to have arrived in Sutherland in 1198.

Being closely connected to the Earls of Sutherland, the Murrays of Aberscors (also spelt Moray or Morray) assisted them in various clan issues.

In 1518 Adam Gordon, the husband of Elizabeth, the 10th Countess of Sutherland, sent John Moray of Aberscors and Alexander Leslie of Kinninuvy to besiege Dunrobin Castle which had been occupied by Alexander Sutherland during a dispute over the Earldom of Sutherland.

The same year Gordon offered Janet and Elizabeth Clyne, heiresses of William Clyne of Clyne, to the sons of Moray for marriage, as a reward for Moray’s loyalty. However Moray didn’t accept, although the reason why is unknown.

In 1561 Hugh Murray of Aberscors killed a member of the Siol Thomas family, one Iver Mackean-Mack-Thomas, which enraged John Gordon, the 11th Earl of Sutherland. Murray fled to Caithness, seeking refuge from George Sinclair, the 4th Earl of Caithness.

The Earl of Sutherland suspected that Hugh’s father, Hucheon, might also have been involved, so imprisoned Hucheon in Dunrobin Castle. He was later released and set about reconciling his son with the Earl of Sutherland.

In 1624 John Murray of Aberscors sold some land to James Sutherland of Duffus, but not Aberscors itself it would seem.

Aberscors appears as Abirscors on Robert Gordon’s map which may have been published as early as 1636 (see image below) and also in Blaeu’s Atlas of 1654 (see image at the top of the page).

Sutherland, Strath Okel & Strath Charron

Robert Gordon, 1636

The castle apparently fell into ruin during the 17th century, although there is a reference from 1671 in estate papers belonging to the Earls of Sutherland detailing an appeal made to Lord Strathnaver by Margaret Payne, married to a Murray, complaining that people were stealing peat and turf from Aberscors.

Aberscors doesn’t appear on Herman Moll’s map created before 1732, or on Roy’s map, created between 1747 and 1755, and nothing now remains of the castle, although it falls within a deserted settlement.

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Alternative names for Aberscors

Abbirscross; Abercross; Aberschoir; Aberscross Castle; Abirscors; Abirscurs; Hibberscor

Where is Aberscors?

Aberscors is in the parish of Golspie and the county of Sutherland.

Grid reference: NC 769 001

Lat / long: 57.973540, -4.082022

Bing Maps | Google Maps | Historic maps (NLS) | OpenStreetMap | Ordnance Survey | PastMap | Streetmap | Wikimapia

OS Map for Aberscors

OS map 441
Lairg, Bonar Bridge & Golspie (Dornoch & Brora)
OS Explorer map 441


Directions to Aberscors

Enter a starting point

Weather at Aberscors

3°C
max 3°C / min 3°C
2km/h W
1031mb
89%
15%
03:49 20:35

Few clouds
Weather observed at Golspie at 02:24

References (books)

Genealogical history of the Earldom of Sutherland
Robert Gordon
Edinburgh, 1813
The Scottish Nation, Volume 3
William Anderson
Edinburgh, 1877
The Sutherland book (Volume 3)
William Fraser
Edinburgh, 1892

References (websites)

Canmore

Castles near Aberscors

Skelbo Castle

5.4km away

Golspie Tower (site of)

6.7km away

Proncy Castle

7.6km away

Dunrobin Castle

8.1km away

Old House of Embo (site of)

8.8km away

Loch Brora

10.4km away

Dornoch Castle

10.9km away

Skibo Castle

11.6km away

Ospisdale House

11.7km away
more castles....
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Ancient sites near Aberscors

Carn Liath broch

10.1km away

Eilean nam Faoileag (possible) crannog

10.4km away

Carriblair stone circle, cist

16.2km away

Ousdale Burn broch

35.5km away

Langwell Water (West) souterrain

36.2km away

Langwell Water (middle) souterrain

36.8km away

Langwell Water (East) souterrain

37.0km away

Eilean na Faoileag crannog

37.9km away

Strathy souterrain

38.2km away
more ancient sites....
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Pictish stones near Aberscors

Craigton Class I symbol stone

3.3km away

Little Ferry Links 4 Class I symbol stone

5.5km away

Little Ferry Links 5 Class I symbol stone

5.7km away

Little Ferry Links 1 Class I symbol stone

5.7km away

Little Ferry Links 2 Class I symbol stone

5.7km away

Little Ferry Links 3 Class I symbol stone

5.7km away

Golspie 2 Class I symbol stone

6.4km away

Golspie 1 Class II cross slab

6.7km away

Dunrobin 2 Class I symbol stone

7.7km away
more Pictish stones....
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Pictish sites near Aberscors

Burghead fort

45.8km away

Torvean silver chain

57.8km away

Gaulcross hoard

84.2km away

Parkhill silver chain

140.9km away

Nigg silver chain

151.4km away

Dunnicaer fort

158.9km away

Norrie's Law hoard

202.4km away

Haddington silver chain

237.6km away

Traprain Law silver chain

238.4km away
more Pictish sites....
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Accommodation near Aberscors

The Eagle
hotel, restaurant, barDornoch
10.7km away
Dornoch Castle Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barDornoch
10.9km away
Royal Golf Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barDornoch
11.0km away
Sutherland Inn
hotelBrora
14.0km away
Royal Marine Hotel, Brora
hotelBrora
14.5km away
Morangie House Hotel
hotelTain
17.5km away
Railway Hotel
hotel, barTain
18.0km away
Royal Hotel Tain
hotel, bar, restaurantTain
18.0km away
Mansfield Castle Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barTain
18.5km away
Am Bathach
self-catering cottageInveran
25.4km away

Accommodation search

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more accommodation....

Cafés, restaurants & bars near Aberscors

The Eagle
hotel, restaurant, barDornoch
10.7km away
Dornoch Castle Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barDornoch
10.9km away
Royal Golf Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barDornoch
11.0km away
Railway Hotel
hotel, barTain
18.0km away
Royal Hotel Tain
hotel, bar, restaurantTain
18.0km away
Mansfield Castle Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barTain
18.5km away
Plough Inn
pubRosemarkie
42.5km away
Golf View Hotel & Spa
hotel, restaurant, barNairn
44.4km away
Windsor Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barNairn
44.9km away
Tulloch Castle Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barDingwall
45.5km away
more food.... / more drink....

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Published on the 20th of April 2013 at 4:39 pm. Updated on the 23rd of April 2013 at 12:00 am.

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Andy Sweet above Fast Castle

Stravaiging around Scotland is written, photographed and researched by Andy Sweet.
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