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

  Legal Documents for Nevay Church,Kirkinch (SM3002)

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600017079)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of Nevay Church and its burial ground. Most of the standing structure dates to the later 16th century but the church and burial ground are medieval in origin. The church sits on a raised yard which is approximately oval on plan. The monument lies about 60m above sea level on the floor of Strathmore, some 150m east of the Kirkinch Burn.

The church is rectangular, measuring approximately 17m east-west by 6m transversely, and built in coursed rubble mostly of red and grey sandstone. The gables stand to full height and the north and south walls to around 1m and 2m high respectively. A round-headed door and small round-arched window in the west gable may be of medieval date, perhaps relocated to their present positions. Two entrances, both blocked by tombstones, pierce the south wall. The lintel of the westernmost doorway bears the date of 1695 and is blocked by a tombstone dated 1597. Several gravestone and architectural fragments have been re-located within the gravelled interior of the church.

The scheduled area is roughly oval on plan to include the remains described above. The scheduling extends up to but excludes the boundary walls. The scheduling specifically excludes the top 300mm of all paths and grassed areas; all burial lairs where rights of burial still exist; and all memorial stones dating to later than 1850. The monument was last scheduled in 1993, but the scheduling did not include the burial ground: the present amendment rectifies this.

Statement of National Importance

This monument is of national importance because of its inherent potential to make a significant addition to our understanding of church sites in Scotland. The upstanding church retains several significant architectural features and may preserve the plan form and some of the fabric of a medieval church. Records of Early Christian carved stone fragments suggest the site was first used for burial around the middle of the first Millenium AD. There is high potential for the presence of well-preserved archaeological remains that can make a significant contribution to our understanding of the date and development of parish churches in the region. Further, it is probable that a number of graves remain in situ, with high potential to enhance our knowledge of status and burial practice, potentially over an extended period which saw major devotional changes. The monument's significance is enhanced by the capacity to compare it with other early church sites in Angus, many of which have similar raised curvilinear yards, and to relate the church to the medieval settlement pattern. The loss of the monument would significantly diminish our ability to appreciate and understand the construction and development of early churches in east Scotland and their role in medieval society and in the organisation of the medieval Church.

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.