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

  SM6436_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600012324)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of the remains of a succession of fortifications on the island of Inch Garvie. These range in date from the 16th century to the 20th century.

Inch Garvie was granted to John Dundas in 1491 by James IV with power to build a fort upon it. He did not do this, and James IV himself subsequently ordered a strong tower to be built in 1513. This castle is understood to have been subsequently used as a state prison, being re-fortified at the time. It was this tower which was occupied during Cromwell's campaign of 1650-51. Thereafter it was repaired and mounted with cannon during the Napoleonic war. The buildings and an additional battery were then described as ruinous.

The remains of this castle are incorporated in 20th century defences; these include gun emplacements, barracks and search-light emplacements, some of which were built by German prisoners-of-war during the 1914-18 conflict. One of the piers of the Forth Rail Bridge abuts the W end of the island, but is not included in the scheduling.

The whole island of Inch Garvie is to be scheduled. The only section to be excluded is where the island touches the Forth Bridge. The area to be scheduled is irregular in shape with dimensions of 330m from the W end of the island to the E by a maximum of 60m N-S, as marked in red on the accompanying map, and defined by the mean low water mark of ordinary spring tides.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it is an important element in the defences of Scotland from the 16th century onwards. It has the potential to provide information on the defensive arrangements of each of the successive periods of defence and to provide evidence for the domestic and military life of the soldiers who garrisoned the island.

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.