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

  SM10839_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600018714)

Summary

Description

The kiln is a particularly massive and well preserved example of a local commercial kiln, It was built by Hay & Co in 1870 due to demand for building lime during the construction of the 'new town' in Lerwick. It continued in production until the 1930s, producing lime for agricultural use and for building work. It was capable of burning 70 tons of limestone from the adjacent quarry (now filled in) at a time, burning 14 tons of coal and 10 tons of local peat.

The kiln is of a square plan with battered sides, set into a steeply sloping bank. It is constructed of random granite rubble walls with stugged sandstone ashlar dressings. The kiln has segmental-arched opening with rubble voussoirs centred at foot of E elevation accessing the brick-vaulted entrance tunnel/draw-arch, with the furnace opening and draw-hole/eye to rear. It has a semicircular brick-lined charging-hole/furnace pot, rising to a splayed mouth at the kiln-head.

The area to be scheduled consists of the limekiln. The area has maximum dimensions of 29m ENE-WSW and 21m transversely as marked in red on the attached map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a well-preserved example of a local commercial limekiln of which there are many in Scotland. However, this particular large example is the only industrial scale limekiln on Shetland. The production of lime from this kiln was essential for the growth of Lerwick in the late 19th century, which was being powered by the herring boom. The kiln supplied all of the building lime required for construction work, as well as agricultural lime.

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.