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

  SM6252_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600012142)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of the remains of Woodhead, or Woodhead House, a small castle built by John Lennox, 6th of Balcarroch, perhaps soon after he succeeded his brother Duncan in 1572.

The castle, standing at the top of a steep N-facing slope, is L-shaped on plan, the main block measuring approximately 12.6m NE-SW by 7.75m NW-SE, with a stair tower projecting from its S corner in alignment with the SW gable. It comprised three storeys and an attic. The re-entrant angle is now obscured by debris, but seems to have contained the entrance. The basement contained a kitchen, a cellar (which has vertical slots in the walls to hold wooden fittings) and a corridor along the SE side. All three are barrel-vaulted. The first floor was occupied by the hall. There are numerous traces of alterations, probably dating to the 17th Century, including the enlargement and insertion of windows and doorways, alterations to fireplaces, and the reconstruction of the stair to the Hall on a grander scale. Buildings were added against the SE and SW walls of the house, and it is likely that these perpetuated ranges surrounding a barmkin.

The crow-stepped NE gable of the house survives, together with a fine corbelled angle-turret on the N corner, but the walls at the SW end of the house are reduced to first-floor level.

The house remained in use until the completion of its replacement, Lennox Castle, in 1841, after which it was partially demolished to satisfy the taste for romantic ruins and was also converted (unsuccessfully) for use as an ice house.

The area scheduled is approximately rectangular on plan. It is limited by the road edge on the SE and extends 8m from the house to the NE and 10m from the house to the SW and NW, to include the house and the ranges later attached to it, the barmkin, and an area in which evidence for the activities associated with the occupation of the house may be expected to be found. The area is marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as the remains of a late medieval castle, displaying considerable alterations to fit it for an increasing sophistication in the lifestyle of the owners. Analysis of the standing structure and associated below-ground archaeology has the potential to contribute to our understanding of late medieval and early modern domestic planning, social organisation and material culture in 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.