Documents

Where documents include maps, the use of this data is subject to terms and conditions (https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/termsandconditions).

The legal document available for download below constitutes the formal designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The additional details provided on this page are provided for information purposes only and do not form part of the designation. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within this additional information.

• Type

  Legal Documents

  Title

  SM10844_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013789)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of an area of ground containing the remains of a network of defensive ditches associated with an entrenched camp and static positions prepared in advance of the engagement between James Graham, Marquis of Montrose and the Covenanting forces under the Earl of Argyll on the 24 October 1664.

The engagement arose after Montrose won spectacular victories over Covenanting forces at Tippermuir and Aberdeen. Having marched from Huntly to Fyvie, Montrose's depleted army was caught at Fyvie Castle by a larger Covenanting force under Argyll.

Rather than become besieged within the castle, Montrose deployed his troops on rising ground to the east of the castle and trenches were dug to improve the defensive position. Despite a series of attacks by Covenanting troops, Montrose's defensive position, improved by the construction of the trenches, proved to be too strong and Argyll withdrew, allowing Montrose to slip away to Turriff.

The surviving earthwork, still known as Montrose's Camp, is Y-shaped and runs roughly N-S across the slope of the hill for some 275m, although the trench system is likely to have been originally considerably greater in extent. The ditch averages 5m in width and 1.5m deep towards the S end where it is still well-preserved. There is no trace of an upcast bank. The two northern portions have suffered from afforestation and are in poor condition.

The area to be scheduled includes the remains of the trench network and a small area around them, in which associated remains could be expected to survive. The scheduled area is Y-shaped and has maximum dimensions of 285m NNE-SSW and an average width of about 20m. The top 30cm of the trackway encroaching onto the scheduled area is excluded from the scheduling to allow essential maintenance.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as the material remains of Montrose's campaign, one of the most extraordinary military episodes in Scottish history and one that foreshadowed future rebellions in Scotland. Montrose's 'year of miracles', during which he had a string of spectacular victories over the Convenanting forces led by the Earl of Argyll and which was to end disastrously at Philiphaugh, has left almost no material remains. The trench network at Fyvie, although poorly preserved in places, is the exception.

References

Bibliography

About Scheduled Monuments

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Scheduling is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for monuments and archaeological sites of national importance as set out in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

We schedule sites and monuments that are found to be of national importance using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Scheduled monument records provide an indication of the national importance of the scheduled monument which has been identified by the description and map. The description and map (see ‘legal documents’ above) showing the scheduled area is the designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The statement of national importance and additional information provided are supplementary and provided for general information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within the statement of national importance or additional information. These records are not definitive historical or archaeological accounts or a complete description of the monument(s).

The format of scheduled monument records has changed over time. Earlier records will usually be brief. Some information will not have been recorded and the map will not be to current standards. Even if what is described and what is mapped has changed, the monument is still scheduled.

Scheduled monument consent is required to carry out certain work, including repairs, to scheduled monuments. Applications for scheduled monument consent are made to us. We are happy to discuss your proposals with you before you apply and we do not charge for advice or consent. More information about consent and how to apply for it can be found on our website at www.historicenvironment.scot.

Find out more about scheduling and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.