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

  SM4483_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600010398)

Summary

Description

The monument is Billie Castle, comprising the remains of a central keep and of extensive defensive and domestic earthworks. The main defensive enclosure measures about 41m (E-W) x 31m transversely. On the N, E and W sides there is a single ditch, and on the S side there are double ditches; these may have been flooded by means of earthern dams situated at the W and E ends of a natural gulley immediately to the S of the enclosure (the easy approach). Within the enclosure there are the remains of a number of stone buildings, including a tower and, on the N, a gatehouse.

To the E of the castle there are the remains of a kiln and two enclosures. Both contain traces of a possible rectangular building. To the W there is a further slight enclosure, probably of domestic function associated with the castle. The keep survives today as a turf covered mound 2.5m high and c. 16m square. An area measuring a maximum of 310m (E-W) x 100m is proposed for scheduling to include the castle and all the associated enclosures.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a castle with well preserved earthwork fortifications. It is of particular interest because of the survival of part of the water management system of the defences. It is also of particular importance because of the contemporary or slightly later domestic buildings around it. Taken altogether the monument has excellent field characteristics and is of national importance to the themes of medieval defence and settlement.

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.