Rowel spur

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A rowel spur is a spur with a small spiked wheel attached. This example was one of a number of objects found during the restoration of Urquhart Castle near Drumnadrochit in Inverness-shire. It is made of iron and dates from the early 15th century.

The small rowel originally had eight points. A hook strap end is still attached to one terminal.

Dating from the 12th century, Urquhart Castle commanded a strategic position on Loch Ness and was vital to the crown's control of the Highlands. It was partially blown up when evacuated by government forces in 1691 and thereafter decayed rapidly.

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• Online ID: 000-100-000-296-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.HY 72
• Date: Early 15th century
  
• Material: Iron
  Spur, rowel
  
• Dimensions: 150 mm x 100 mm
  
• What: Spur, rowel
  
• Subject: Finds from Urquhart Castle (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Inverness-shire, Glen Urquhart, Urquhart Castle
  
• Event:
• Description: Rowel spur of iron from Urquhart Castle, early 15th century
  
• References:
  • Proceedings of the Society of Antiquities of Scotland 112, 1982, pp 465-476 
• Translations:
• Related Records: