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

  SM5271_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011174)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of the remains of a sixteenth century tower situated on the SW bank of Loch Lomond.

The castle was the chief residence of the Colquhouns of Luss until 1773. All that remains of the building is the S wall and the adjoining portions of the E and W walls. The other walls were demolished in the early 19th century, the stone being used to build an extension to the 18th-century house of Rossdhu. The medieval keep has had at least four stories with a vaulted ground floor. The walls are made of random coursed roughly squared rubble. The building is

c.12m high. The S wall measures 10.3m externally and is 2.25m thick. The E and W walls extend for 1.4m and 2m respectively and are 2.6m thick. There is a round-headed entrance with chamfered jambs in the S wall, above which is a rectangular opening. On the first floor is remains of a fireplace which has been modified to make it smaller.

There is a blocked window in the W portion of the upper wall. At one time the castle had a gabled building attached to its S wall. There is a section of walling from this later structure extending from the SW corner.

The area to be scheduled is a square with sides measuring 35m, to include the upstanding remains of the castle and an area to the N potentially containing archaeological evidence which may clarify its ground plan, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it is a medieval castle which was owned by one of Scotland's leading families and documented from 1541. Its below ground remains preserve archaeological evidence which has the potential to shed light on domestic planning, material culture, and society of the period in which it was built and in use. In addition, its importance is enhanced by its relation to the family chapel of Rossdhu.

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.