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

  SM6232_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600012122)

Summary

Description

This monument comprises the remains of a tower built before 1363 and abandoned after being captured by Archibald the Grim in 1390. It sits on the highest point of a small island in Lochnaw Loch. The loch was drained in the late 17th century and used as pasture until being reflooded in the early 19th century.

The visible remains consist of a single wall over 3m high and 8m long, running SW to NE, which shows the start of a barrel vault to the SE. The wall also has a small aumbry and the traces of a window slit. At the SW end of the wall there is fragment of a return heading SE for about 2m. There is a decayed dry stone wall which goes around the island: this is probably associated with the farming activites of the eighteenth century. However it appears to overlie the footings of an older wall which may relate to the tower.

The area to be scheduled includes the entire island which measures roughly 120m SE to NW by up to 25m across. It also includes an area presently under water, extending 10m out around the island, all as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it is a 14th century tower on a site which has seen only very light re-use since the 15th century. For that reason, even though little remains standing, the archaeology is likely to be well preserved due to minimal ground disturbance.

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.