Scheduled Monument

Ardvreck CastleSM1895

Status: Designated

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.

Summary

Date Added
03/03/1936
Last Date Amended
24/10/1996
Supplementary Information Updated
08/11/2017
Type
Secular: barn; castle
Local Authority
Highland
Parish
Assynt
NGR
NC 23939 23632
Coordinates
223939, 923632

Description

The monument consists of Ardvreck Castle, now in a ruinous state, and associated structures situated on a rocky peninsula in Loch Assynt. The castle remains are already scheduled, but not the surrounding structures. This proposal extends protection to the whole of the peninsula.

The castle was formerly the residence of the MacLeods of Assynt and is customarily dated to the end of the 16th century. The standing remains represent an oblong tower with a circular stairtower at its SE corner. The remains of a double vaulted basement are also visible. Earthworks on the S side of the standing remains may relate to the former layout and ground plan of the castle complex. The remains of a rampart and ditch can be traced running across the narrow neck of the peninsula on the W side of the stone field wall. To the SSW of the castle lie the remains of a rectangular building that contains a kiln at its southern end.

The area to be scheduled includes the whole of the peninsula, to include the structures described above and an area around them in which related remains are likely to survive. It has maximum dimensions of 220m NNW-SSE by 140m, as indicated in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

Ardveck is of national importance as an example of a late medieval clan castle. The peninsula on which it stands also contains evidence for at least one possible agricultural building related to the castle, and for associated field and defensive enclosures. The castle is a rare surviving example of this type of late medieval Highland castle.

References

Bibliography

The monument is recorded in the RCAHMS as NC 22 SW 2.

Gifford, J. The Buildings of Scotland: The Highlands, 556. Proc. Soc. Antiq. Scot. 23266/1A

MacGibbon, D. and Ross, T., 1887-92, The Castellated and Domestic Architecture of Scotland, vol. III, 631.

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.

Images

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Printed: 26/04/2024 08:45