Scheduled Monument

Tor CastleSM5471

Status: Designated

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.

Summary

Date Added
01/12/1992
Supplementary Information Updated
21/11/2019
Type
Secular: castle; tower
Local Authority
Highland
Planning Authority
Highland
Parish
Kilmallie
NGR
NN 13243 78578
Coordinates
213243, 778578

Description

The monument is Tor Castle, the remains of a small towerhouse of fifteenth or sixteenth century date.The site is thought to have been occupied for defensive purposes from the eleventh century. The castle, allegedly built on the site of Banquo's (Shakespeare's Macbeth) castle was the main residence of the chiefs of Clan Chattan.

It occupies a strong position on a ridge above the River Lochy. Tor is rectangular on plan and measures 9.5m NE-SW by 5m NW-SE within walls 2.2m in maximum thickness. The building, constructed in mortared random rubble, is in a state of advanced decay. No indication of floor levels or evidence of vaulting is apparent.

The NW and SE walls are reduced to under 4m, the SW wall is reduced to its rubble core and the NE wall is fragmentary. There are traces of a newel stair and entrance in the SE wall towards the E angle, and a small rectangular chamber in the N angle. To the N of the castle is an L-shaped portion of low walling which may have been part of a courtyard.

The area to be scheduled is irregular, measuring a maximum of 40m NE -SW by 50m NW-SE, and is defined by the surrounding boundary fence, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a late medieval tower-house which is likely to occupy the site of an earlier fortified residence dating from the eleventh century. As such it provides evidence and has the potential to provide further evidence, through excavation, which may contribute to our understanding of medieval defensive architecture, social structure, economy and material culture.

References

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NN 17 NW 2.

Reference:

Macfarlane, W. (1906-8) Geographical collections relating to Scotland, in Mitchell, A and Clark, J. T. 3v, 160, 518-19, Edinburgh.

The 'Scot Hist Soc' (1907) Ser 1, 52, 160, 518-9.

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.

Images

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Printed: 28/03/2024 08:07