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

  SM6680_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600012531)

Summary

Description

The monument is the remains of a medieval and later rural settlement occupied, at least between the 15th and 17th centuries. The remains of a laird's house dating to the 16th or 17th century are visible as an upstanding ruin. There are several earthworks close to the ruin, including an oblong bank to the NE that measures 30m ENE-WSW by 10m transversely. A second stone structure, several sunken lanes and banks and an encircling enclosure were also visible until the later 20th century: many of these features are expected to survive as buried archaeological remains. The monument lies 35m above sea level on an outcrop of rock with lower ground (now a series of artificial lochs) immediately to the SE and SW. Although it is overlooked from the S, the site offers relatively long views N to North Berwick Law. The monument was first scheduled in 1997, but the documentation did not meet modern standards: the present amendment rectifies this.

The scheduled area is irregular on plan and includes the remains described above and an area around them within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduling specifically excludes the upstanding elements of all modern fences.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it preserves evidence for a range of significant features, including a medieval settlement, a medieval chapel and a post-medieval laird's house. Together these features have the potential to make a significant contribution to our understanding of medieval and post-medieval settlement in SE Scotland. Medieval rural settlements that have not been overlain or destroyed by later villages and towns are rare in the Lothians. Historical documents provide a context for these remains, suggesting that a settlement had been established here by the early 15th century at latest, together with a chapel that was sufficiently important to have a provost and prebends (normally indicative of a collegiate church). Although parts of the settlement have been ploughed, there is high potential for buried archaeological remains to survive, in addition to the upstanding features. Overall, this site can significantly expand our understanding of medieval rural buildings, agriculture and economy. Our understanding of the distribution and character of medieval and later settlement would be diminished if this monument was to be lost or damaged.

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.