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

  SM11226_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013904)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a silver mine, first worked in the early 17th century with later workings towards the end of the 19th century.

Silver was first discovered at Hilderston in 1606. Sir Thomas Hamilton of Binny and Monkland, the King's Advocate took a lease from James VI in 1607 to work the mine, but it was taken over by the King in 1608, the mine being described then as 'apparently inexhaustible'. At least 7 shafts were opened at this time, with miners being brought from England and Germany to work them. By 1610 the mine was proving less profitable than expected and in 1613 it was let to a private firm and closed soon after 1614. The lease was renewed in 1870 by Mr Henry Aitken of Falkirk, some nickel ore having been recovered from the waste heaps, and in 1873 a deep shaft was sunk, though nothing was found. An old shaft was also cleared, although the project proved unsuccessful and the mine was abandoned in 1898.

The monument is visible as a series of small depressions on the lower SE slopes of Cairnpapple Hill and the upstanding remains of a building associated with the later mine activity. The area to be scheduled is irregular on plan, with maximum dimensions 143m NE-SW by 76m transversely to include the mine shafts, building and an area of ground in which evidence relating to their construction and use may survive. The area is bounded by a road to the E and a stream to the S, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a rare example of an early 17th-century silver mine which has strong links to the Scottish Royal Family and has the potential to greatly enhance our understanding of early mining of precious metals in Scotland.

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.