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

  SM5404_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011306)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of the remains of a keep of the period 1542 to 1700.

The castle which was the seat of the Napiers, is located on the W side of the Kilmahew Burn. It is rectangular on plan measuring 14.1m N-S by 7.7m E-W over walls 1.2m thick and c.11m high. The castle was considerably altered in the 19th century with a view to utilising it as a modern mansion but this work was never completed. The S and W walls have been rebuilt and the fireplace and recesses in the E wall appear to have been a product of this period. The entrance doorway at the SW angle was also added. Few of the original features survive. The original entrance is in the NW wall, directly above it are two projecting corbels in the parapet. These probably carried a battlement to protect the door. Some smaller corbels are preserved on the parapet. The staircase probably ascended from the NW angle, while a passage in the W wall would have given access to the kitchen and cellars on the ground floor. The kitchen fireplace survives in the North end. The original masonry is random coursed rubble with freestone quoins, the 19th-century alterations use thinly coursed stone.

The area to be scheduled is rectangular and measures a maximum of 20m E-W by 30m N-S, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because although it has been considerably altered it still preserves original architectural details. It may provide evidence for domestic and defensive occupation and as such may contribute to our understanding of Scottish medieval life and society.

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.