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

  SM1207_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600003978)

Summary

Description

The monument is a late medieval tower, built in the 16th century and remodelled as a folly in 1824. The standing remains are two storeys high and include a circular turret set on a corbelled base. The tower measures about 7m NW-SE by 5m transversely. The monument is now surrounded by the buildings of Murieston Castle Farm. It stands 190m above sea level on relatively level ground, 200m NW of the Murieston Water. The monument was originally scheduled in 1951, but the documentation did not meet modern standards: the present amended entry rectifies this.

The scheduled area is an irregular shape on plan, to include the remains described above and an area around in which evidence for the tower's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. On the SW and SE sides, the scheduled area extends 1m beyond the outer face of the tower's walls. On the NW and NE sides, the scheduled area extends 5m beyond the outer face of the tower's walls. All modern fences and buildings are specifically excluded from the scheduling.

Statement of National Importance

The monument can significantly enhance understanding of the character and distribution of late medieval towers in West Lothian. Its 1824 restoration also demonstrates how the past could be appreciated, and medieval buildings remodelled and re-used, in the 19th century. The castle retains good field characteristics, surviving to two storeys in height and incorporating a circular turret on a corbelled base, and makes an important contribution to today's landscape. Our understanding of the role and character of late medieval towers and particularly the ways they might be adapted and appreciated in later centuries would be diminished if this monument was lost or damaged.

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.