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

  SM2019_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600008292)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of a motte, a mound which was the site of an early timber castle. The motte now lacks any protection to the W, with any rampart and ditch almost completely obliterated by more recent agriculture. The shape of the mound has been damaged by cattle. It stands about 2m above the field to the W. The summit appears to have been about 13m in diameter. From its base on either side a rampart passes down the slope towards the E, forming an enclosure about 20m across some 6.5m below the summit. This enclosure was provided with an entrance now 2.5m wide, at the base of the mound and at the S end of the enclosure. The rampart which forms the S side of the enclosure is about 8m wide at base and 2m high externally. Between it and the edge of a steep glen lies a terrace, 6.5m wide near the mound, decreasing towards the E, where it is only 2m wide. The area to be scheduled is defined to the SE by a burn and to the N and E by a field boundary. It is irregular on plan, measuring a maximum of 110m N-S by 95m E-W, to enclose the motte and outer enclosure and an area around them in which evidence relating to their construction and use may survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

This monument is of national importance because it is a motte and bailey which shows the relationship between the two elements clearly. It makes good use of the natural topography on a spur between two steep valleys. Despite the damage to the motte and the western defences, the below ground archaeology has the potential to reveal far more about the site and to broaden our knowledge about other similar monuments.

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.