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

  SM5273_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011176)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of the remains of a castle which dates from the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

The fortification is situated on an island about 350m from the SE shore of Loch Gorm. The roughly circular island measures a maximum of 48m from NE-SW. The monument occupies the central area of the island and stands to a height of c.2.4m. The castle has a quadrangular layout incorporating boldly projecting roughly circular bastions at the angles. The fortification measures 20.5m from N-S over the

curtain wall by 17m transversely and the drum bastions vary between 5.5m and 6m in average diameter. The curtain walls and towers are of drystone boulder construction and portions are reduced to the rubble core. A depression towards the S end of the E wall may indicate the position of an entrance. This corresponds with a gap in the arc of walling (1m thick) that protects the E quarter. There are vestiges of earlier building phases on the SE and SW bastions. The curtain wall is turf backed and the interior structure, which is organised into three drystone constructed apartments, reaches the same surviving

height as the wallhead. The main rectangular building is orientated NW to SE. Adjoining its NW angle is a smaller sub rectangular annexe aligned in the same plane and floored at a slightly higher level. There is another elongated building with turf covered drystone walls aligned NE-SW to the SE of the principal building.

The area to be scheduled is approximately circular and measures a maximum of 50m in diameter, centred on the castle and including an area of land surrounding the castle in which evidence of activities associated with its construction and use may survive, as shown in red

on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as it is a good example of a well-documented fortified site in use during the 16th and 17th centuries. Its relatively inaccessible location and partly waterlogged condition increases the potential of the site, through archaeological investigation, for shedding further light on the society, economy and military technology of the period during which it was built and occupied.

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.