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

  SM5447_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011348)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of the remains of an L-plan towerhouse of early seventeenth century date with eighteenth century modifications. The tower has had a vaulted basement with two upper floors and a garret. The main block lies NNW and SSE with a wing projecting c.5m from the ENE angle. The rubble-coursed, crow-stepped tower measures 12.4m N-S by 12m E-W overall and has walls c.1.2m thick.

The ground floor held the kitchen in the S part of the main block, the remaining space being used for storage. The entrance is in the re-entrant angle of the ENE wing and has an ornate moulded doorpiece. The main staircase, also in the projection is built over a cellar, well provided with gun-loops. Two secondary newel stairs leading from the first to the upper floors exist: one corbelled-out in the re-entrant angle; the second (probably a later addition) is corbelled-out flat in the N angle between the main building and the wing.

The area to be scheduled is rectilinear, measuring a maximum of 20m NNW-SSE by 16m WSW-ENE to be centred on the tower, but excluding the road which delimits the area on the N, as shown in red on the attached map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a fortified residence built in the early seventeenth century which in its lay-out combines aspects of comfort and elegance with the necessity for defensive action against potential attack. In addition it provides evidence and has the potential to provide further evidence, through excavation, which is likely to contribute to our understanding of Scottish mansion design and construction, social organisation, domestic occupation and material culture during the late medieval and early modern periods.

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.