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

  SM6163_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600012055)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of the remains of a late 16th century house with terraced gardens.

What remains is roughly L-shaped but does not conform to the typical L-plan tower house. The ground floor level is taken up with vaulted cellars, though those in the E limb of the L and at the corner appear to have collapsed. The other two vaults are accessed by a doorway halfway along the E wall and are divided at this point. The more northern vault has one slit in the wall on both E and W with the more southerly vault having two. The first floor of the building is now totally ruinous except that part of the tower which rises above the N vault. This lacks all wood work but has retained its second storey vault intact. There are windows in the N, W and E walls with a small fireplace in the N wall. The tower is entered by a doorway in the S wall which probably linked this room with the now vanished hall of the house. A turnpike stair rose to the other floors at this point. On the N side of this hall can still be seen the fireplace of the hall. The second floor of the tower also has three windows though the fireplace is set into the south wall. Only the S gable of the E limb of the L stands above ground floor level and this appears to have had a window at second storey level. The E side of the buildings appears to have been used as a forecourt though the building of drystone dykes to keep sheep away from the ruins has largely obscured this. The ground to the N and E of the building is terraced, probably to form gardens.

The scheduled area is bordered to the NE by the track leading to the castle and includes the track. To the S and W the scheduling follows the present field boundaries, which are excluded. The area measures 170m WNW-ESE by 80m, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it is an example of a late 16th century or early 17th century residence of a man of means. Reportedly built by Sir Gideon Murray, it differs from many towers of the time both in its more elaborate plan and in the landscaping of the area for garden use. It is an important building in the development of the houses of the Scottish gentry, from fortress to house, and in the development of gardens in Scotland. What survives above ground is impressive, but the archaeology has potential to shed more light on this period of flux in the design of residences for the Scottish gentry.

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.