Scheduled Monument

Garleton CastleSM6049

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
28/06/1994
Supplementary Information Updated
23/07/2021
Type
Secular: castle
Local Authority
East Lothian
Parish
Athelstaneford
NGR
NT 50965 76714
Coordinates
350965, 676714

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a castle of 16th-century date, an early 18th-century lodge, and later structures surviving in a ruinous condition.

The castle lies immediately N of the Garleton Hills, on relatively low, slightly sloping ground at around 100m OD. It lies S of the modern farm of East Garleton and its ruined courtyard is partially occupied by a series of modern farm cottages.

The castle appears originally to have comprised a rectangular courtyard some 40m ESE by 30m with a house built into its NE corner. It is thought to have been built by Seton of Garleton and was passed to the Wemyss Estate in 1724. The main block of the house measures approximately 18m in length with a wing some 13m long projecting to the S.

Only the N and E walls of the house remain substantially intact, to around 10m high, although the W gable, internal partitions, fireplaces and 1st and 2nd floor windows can still be identified. Three vaulted, rubble-filled cellars project slightly from the N wall at ground level. A series of splayed gunloops are indicative of a 16th century date. Adjoining the wing are the remains of a circular tower some 7m in diameter which appears to be contemporary with the house.

Two lodges are set at the W ends of the N and S walls of the courtyard. The N lodge is relatively recent and incorporates gunloops from the earlier structures as a decorative motif. The S lodge, however, dates from the early eighteenth century and survives as a storehouse, with roof intact. It is two storeys high with two vaulted chambers at ground level.

The area to be scheduled encompasses the castle and an area around it in which traces of associated activity may be expected to survive. It excludes the presently occupied dwellings which include the N lodge. The area is irregular in shape with maximum dimensions of 40m ENE-WSW by 60m as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to add to our understanding of high-status defended settlement in the 16th century and later. The deposits within and around the open courtyard in particular may be expected to contain evidence relating to the economy of the castle and for former internal buildings associated with its original occupation.

References

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NT 57 NW 8.

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: 29/03/2024 10:05