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

  SM90106_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014640)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a church, burial ground and watch house of post-Reformation date, and a cross of late medieval date. It is in the care of the Secretary of State for Scotland and is being re-scheduled to clarify the extent of the protected area.

The monument lies at around 50m OD. It comprises the remains of St Peter's Church, Duffus. The church, which is roofless, is set within a burial ground and has been disused since 1866. It is a rectangular structure, built in the 18th century but incorporating portions of much older masonry, including the base of a tower at the W end and on the S a rib-vaulted porch, dating from 1524 and displaying on its keystone the arms and initials of Alexander Sutherland, the rector who built it.

There are external stairs at the N side and E end of the church, which gave access to timber lofts. Lying to the E of the church, within the burial ground, is a small gabled watch house bearing the date 1830. To the S of the church stands a cross measuring about 4.5m high. The shaft is about 0.3m square, standing on the stepped base measuring about 1.5m square.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related material may be expected to be found. It is defined on the E, S and W by the outside face of the stone boundary wall, on the north by the road verge and on the NE by a fence. The area measures overall 100m N-S by 68m E-W, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to our understanding of medieval and post-Reformation ecclesiastical architecture and religious practices. The importance of the site is reflected in it being chosen as a property in state care.

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.