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

  SM5156_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011060)

Summary

Description

The remains consist of a ruined rectangular tower, some 6.7m N-S by 8.7m E-W, surviving at the NW corner some 11-12m high. There were originally three stories, the first horizontally subdivided by a wooden mezzanine floor; the ground and first floors were barrel-vaulted, while the other floors were of wood. Remains of a rock-cut ditch

survive 3-4m E of the tower; there may have been a continuation of this on the N and W, but if so it is now filled in.

The scheduled area comprises the tower and all above and below ground remains contained within an area extending for 6m from its walls on the NNW and WSW, and for 5m from its walls up to but not including the property appertaining to Castle House Cottage on the ENE, and up to the cliff edge on the SSE, measuring overall some 20m (E-W) by 15m (N-S).

Statement of National Importance

The castle is of national importance as a reasonably well-preserved tower-house with associated enclosure surviving in an island where such medieval remains are rare. As well as its architectural interest, the area around the tower is of great importance in affording opportunities for archaeological excavations which could tell us more about its outworks, the castle's periods of construction and occupation, and character of daily life enjoyed by its inhabitants.

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.