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

  SM6028_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011921)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of the remains of a monastic grange known as Penshiel. The present remains probably date from the 15th-century. The foundation is likely to pre-date the surviving ruin however: Penshiel is mentioned in a charter granted by the Earl of Dunbar to the monks of the Isle of Mey in AD.1200. It was later attached to Melrose Abbey.

The upstanding remains consist of the main building which measures 25.8m E-W by 7.8m N-S over walls 1.8m thick. The building (2.6m high) has had a vaulted ground floor and probably one upper floor. The walls are built of large rough boulders of greywacke and granite. The entrance is in the N wall, the door was fastened by three horizontal bars as indicated by the bar holes. Most of the outer facing stones have gone on the N side.

There have been two small windows in each gable but these are now indistinct and reduced to below sill level. There are a series of post holes in the exterior face of the S wall, about 2m from the ground which indicate that some sort of structure; ie a hoarding or stage was attached to the wall. To the S of the building is a rectangular enclosure or courtyard measuring 34m E-W by 26m N-S and bounded by the foundations of a wall about 0.9m thick.

To the N of the structure are the foundations of two buildings and walling, probably the remains of another courtyard measuring 26m E-W by 52.5m N-S. The area to be scheduled measures a maximum of 90m E-W by 120m N-S as marked in red on the accompanying map. Existing modern fences are excluded from scheduling.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it is a good example of a centre of monastic retreat originating in the 13th century, although the upstanding remains are thought to be of 15th century date. As such it has the potential to yield information, through a combination of historical research and archaeological excavation, which is likely to increase our understanding of ecclesiastical architecture, the organisation and function of monastic communities, landuse, economy and material culture in Medieval Scotland.

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.