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

  SM6645_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600012526)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of the old parish church of Banff, dedicated to St Mary, erected in 1471 and demolished in 1797, and its surrounding burial ground.

All that remains of the church above ground is the south aisle and part of the north wall, incorporating tombs predating 1797. The south aisle, the burial aisle of the Ogilvy family, is polygonal with a mullioned south window and stone slabbed roof. Although a memorial tablet dates its erection to 1580, the principal tomb that it contains is that of Sir Walter Ogilvy of Dunlugas, who died in 1558.

The graveyard has been out of use for more than a century and contains a fine collection of memorials dating from the late sixteenth century to the mid nineteenth. It is enclosed by a low rubble wall and railings.

The area to be scheduled comprises the entire burial ground containing the remains of St Mary's church, including the enclosing walls, railings and gates, forming an area extending some 50m E-W by 50m N-S, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it comprises both the remains of the medieval church of Banff and a fine collection of gravestones and memorials erected over three centuries, which contribute to our understanding of medieval architecture, sculpture, social and burgh history and burial practices, and have the potential through archaeological excavation to shed further light on medieval church design and material culture.

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.