Documents

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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

  SM11055_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013855)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of Wigtown Castle, a royal castle, which is early Medieval in date and is visible as an earthwork. The monument is located in a field, 300m NW of the River Bladnoch, and 150m NE of the Station Road/Harbour Road junction on the E side of Wigtown burgh.

The existence of the royal castle is implied by documentary evidence by 1264. It was held for the Crown by a keeper whilst the earls of Buchan resided at Cruggleton. Few early Sheriff?s Accounts survive; repair is mentioned in 1265 that might be in relation to preparations to receive envoys from Norway prior to the 1266 Treaty of Perth. Possession of the castle changed hands on a number of occasions over its period of occupation, Robert Bruce, lord of Annandale, and his son Robert seized it in 1286; it was handed over to Edward I in 1291 but was retaken by William Wallace in 1297. It was probably destroyed on the orders of Robert I, around c. 1315 to prevent English reoccupation.

The Bladnoch formerly flowed along the castle's NE side, it was utilised to form a moat around the remaining three sides, with the entrance via a drawbridge on the SW side. The ditch was c. 10m wide and over 3m deep. The castle would have been formed of a bonded masonry curtain wall, enclosing an area measuring c. 80m N-S and E-W, probably with towers at strategic points and the keeper?s accommodation. The flood plain was reclaimed during the 18th century and ploughed for arable use. Capt. R. M'Kerlie excavated the castle's interior in 1830.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described including an area around them within which related archaeological material may be found. It is circular on plan with a diameter of 175m and is outlined in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as an example of an early Medieval royal castle. Its role within the Sheriffdom of Wigtownshire and the Wars of Independence increases its importance. Its association with documentary sources and its archaeological potential would be able to contribute to our understanding of the social and political dimensions of the period.

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.