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

  SM5809_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011706)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of the remains of the old parish church of Altyre which date from the beginning of the 14th century. Mention of a chapel in use here in 1230 occurs in the Chartulary of Moray. The parish formerly belonged to the parsonage of Dallas, but was disjoined and subsequently added to Rafford about 1659. The centre of worship was the church located on the Altyre Estate. The estate has been owned by the Comyn (Cumming) family since at least the 14th century.

The simple rectangular-plan church is situated 800m NE of Altyre House on the E edge of the Auld Kirk Wood. Its dimensions are 18.65m E-W by 9m N-S overall with walls 0.9m thick. The N side is built on ground sloping away from the church and simple buttresses have been subsequently added to each end of the N wall for stability. The walls, of rubble with ashlar dressings, survive to full height. Two opposed shallow pointed-headed entrances open near the W end.

The N one has a draw-bar hole. Near the centre of the N elevation are two slim pointed-headed lancets, three more lancets light the E end of the S elevation. In the centre of the E gable is a broader window which formerly had simple Y tracery. Two central rectangular windows, one above the other, suggest that later alterations took place in the W gable. A table tomb for Robert Cumming of Logie is situated towards the E end.

The area to be scheduled is rectangular, extending 5m from the exterior walls of the church and measuring a maximum of 28.65m E-W by 19m N-S, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a well preserved example of a medieval church which contributes to our understanding of the development of parish church architecture in the 14th century and has the potential, through structural survey, archaeological excavation and comparative study, to contribute further to our understanding of material culture, liturgy, burial practices, and ecclesiastical history in Scotland before the Reformation.

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.