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

  SM7864_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013242)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of Kerelaw Castle, the work of several different periods, which was converted to a garden folly for Kerelaw House ca.1830.

Kerelaw Castle is traditionally believed to have been in the possession of the Lockhart family from the late 12th century and is said to have been partly destroyed prior to 1488. Arrow slits and cable mouldings of pre-14th century date were noted in the mid 19th century. By 1545 Kerelaw formed an important seat of the Earls of Glencairn.

The oldest portion of the extant remains indicate a quadrangular building with central courtyard and vaulted lower floor dating to the early 16th century. Remaining architectural features include fireplaces, windows, recesses and the remains of an angle turret at the NE corner. The castle was remodelled and altered in the 19th century.

The extension at the S with its large gothic-style windows and central doorway appears to date from this period. Workers' cottages, the remains of which are now barely visible in the dense undergrowth, were created within the courtyard.

The area to be scheduled is rectangular in shape with maximum dimensions of 35m NE-SW by 40m transversely and is bounded by the surrounding security fence. The above-ground portions of this fence are excluded from this scheduling.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as the remains of 16th-century castle, on the site of an earlier dwelling, which was much modified in the 19th century to form a folly. It retains considerable potential to increase our knowledge of domestic architecture over several centuries.

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.