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

  SM1749_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600016172)

Summary

Description

The monument is the remains of Craigmaddie Castle, a 15th century tower house located within the ramparts of a fort, which is probably of Iron Age date. The monument is situated on a ridge of high ground at about 150m above sea level.

The tower is constructed of coursed rubble. It is rectangular on plan measuring 8.6m northwest-southeast by 7.5m transversely and surviving to first floor height. It is located within a D-shaped enclosure measuring internally 41m east-west by 33m transversely. The enclosure is defined by two turf covered ramparts apart from the southwest arc which is protected by a steep rocky slope.

The scheduled area is irregular on plan to include the remains described above and an area around in which evidence for the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map.  The scheduling specifically excludes the above ground elements of all post-and-wire fences and top 300mm of all modern paths and steps to allow for maintenance. The monument was last scheduled in 1960 but the documentation does not meet current standards; the present scheduling rectifies this.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as it has an inherent potential to make a significant contribution to our understanding of Iron Age forts and the development of medieval domestic fortified dwellings. There is significant potential for the survival of important archaeological remains which can enhance our understanding of the date, construction, function and development of the monument. In addition, the tower retains some interesting features such a recess and a barrel vaulted ground floor. The outer defences have a significant potential to inform our understanding of Iron Age defensive sites and how such sites were reuse in the medieval period. The monument's significance is enhanced due to its close proximity to other broadly contemporary fortified sites such as mottes, stone-built castles and later tower houses. The loss of the monument would diminish our ability to understand the form, character and chronology of Iron Age forts and medieval defensive sites 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.