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

  SM6152_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600012044)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of a roofless horizontal water-powered grain mill together with its water-supply arrangements.

The small mill, which is built of granite blocks, is situated in the steep-sided valley of a stream which falls from Mill Loch into the N end of Town Loch. It is of typical "Norse" form, with provision for water-supply in the form of a stone-lined channel leading from a sluice on the stream towards the under-story of the mill building, where remains of the horizontal paddle-wheel can be seen. On the working floor of the mill, the last pair of small grinding stones remain, but the wooden fittings have decayed, as has the roof, once of thatch. The walls of the mill building stand to their full height. Evidence of relative recent use of this mill is present in the form of two concrete lintels, probably associated with a late repair of the building not long before it fell into disuse.

The area to be scheduled is an irregular triangle, bounded on the S by the stream and on the N by the upper edge of the steep slope in which the stream runs. It measures a maximum of 40m WNW-ESE by 20m, to include the mill, its water channel and sluice, and an area around in which evidence relating to its construction, modification and use may survive, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a well-preserved example of a typical small 'Norse' mill which is known to have been in use until much more recently than most, and which displays clearly the layout of such mills and their water supply. It has the potential to provide information about small-scale grain processing, in the context of recent crofting but with a pedigree stretching back several hundred years.

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.