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

  SM8296_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013324)

Summary

Description

This monument comprises the remains of a motte, the site of a small medieval timber castle, with traces of buildings visible on its summit.

The motte lies at the edge of a natural terrace above a flood plain of the River Spey. The summit measures approximately 50m E-W by 30m. The motte was originally surrounded by a water-filled moat which, although now dry, is still clearly visible to the east. The motte has been revetted by dry stone walling around its base with a revetted entrance ramp to the south.

The motte is close by the farm of Mains of Garten and, from the 19th century, has been encroached upon from the south. On the surface of the motte can still be seen the footings of three buildings, one of which contains the bowl of a corn kiln. These buildings are more likely to be associated with the post-medieval use of the site, but may overlie earlier remains.

The area to be scheduled is concentrated on the motte and the area of filled moat which are likely to contain significant archaeological deposits. The area extends 10m out from the foot of the motte to the NE and NW and 5m out from the foot of the motte to the SE and SW. The area is irregular in shape, measuring roughly 70m N-S by 70m and is marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

This monument is of national importance because it is a well-preserved motte. Although the south side of the motte has been encroached upon, there is still clear evidence of buildings on the summit and the ditch which once surrounded the mound. The revetting around the mound marks this out as a particularly finely constructed motte. It has the potential to add to our understanding of medieval political and social structure as well as the development of rural settlement.

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.