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

  SM5654_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011552)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of an early seventeenth-century defensive residence called Evelaw Tower.

The L-plan tower has had three storeys and a garret. It remains relatively complete apart from a large breach in the re-entrant angle. The main block lies E-W with the N wing projecting about 3m from the NW corner. It has rounded angles corbelled out to the square at eaves level. A corbel table runs around the N projecting wing and the eaves of the main block but it is not returned around the gables.

Built against the N elevation is a farm steading which blocks the re- entrant. The tower is constructed in red/purple rubble bonded with lime mortar and has red sandstone dressings. It measures 10.7m E-W by 9.7m N-S overall. The N wing projects about 3m from the main block.

The top floor of the N wing is vaulted. The basement of the main block has been vaulted and has contained a kitchen with a hearth in the W gable.

The original entrance, the stair to the first floor and

the remains of a projecting corbelled stair to the upper floor levels have been in the re-entrant angle. The hall has been in the first floor of the main block with the bedrooms above. Evelaw has small rectangular windows which have been barred and shotholes with square ends in the S and E basement walls. A later entrance has been cut in

the W wall.

The area to be scheduled is rectilinear, extending 2m from the exterior walls of the tower, but excluding the adjoining farmbuildings, measuring a maximum of 14.7m E-W by 13.7m N-S, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a good example of a late medieval fortified tower of considerable strength built by William Douglas shortly after 1576. It demonstrates the obvious need for security at that time, rather than comfort and sophistication, and is characteristic of such buildings in the Border country. Although not well documented, the lands of Evelaw (Ivelie, Yfle) appear to have formed an estate owned by Dryburgh Abbey, prior to the transfer to the Douglases shortly prior to the erection of the dwelling.

The surviving upstanding structure provides evidence and has the potential to provide further evidence, through excavation and analysis, which may contribute to our understanding of domestic and defensive architecture, land tenure and economy, social organisation and the material culture of the inhabitants during its occupation.

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.