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

  SM873_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600003713)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of the remains of a tower house on a rock outcrop projecting into the sea. The tower house was enclosed on the three landward sides by a courtyard wall and had a second outer enclosure to the N. It was the residence of the Moultray of Seafield family from at least 1514, when the family first appears on record, until the Rising of 1715, when the last male member of the line is said to have been killed. The monument was first scheduled in 1937 but an inadequate area was included to protect all of the archaeological remains: the present re-scheduling rectifies this.

The tower house was a substantial structure built of red coursed sandstone rubble, which stands to virtually its full height on the N and W sides, but which has been greatly reduced on the E side and is largely destroyed on the S side. Above a basement vault, which also embraced an entresol floor, were three main floors, and there was presumably a garret in the roof space.

The original entrance was on the S side, and there was probably an extruded stair jamb adjacent to it to the E. However, a new larger stair jamb was added at some stage, which largely blocked the original doorway. A new doorway was then provided at the centre of the E wall, which (on the basis of a plan of 1774) appears to have been framed within a substantial portico. The evidence of dook holes indicates that the entresol floor was then removed, and suggests that a more imposing plastered entrance hall and stair were being created as a prelude to the principal rooms on the upper floors. A late 17th-century date is perhaps most likely for this work, at which time it is probable that a more elegant setting for the life of those occupying the castle was being sought.

The main courtyard around the tower was of irregular form, following the outline of the rock outcrop on which it was built. The rock itself was scarped, with the wall being built along the edge of that scarp. There was a circular tower at the NW angle, and a description of 1845 says that there were then the remains of a fosse and drawbridge. The plan of 1774 indicates that there was an outer courtyard to the N of the main enclosure and, although only slight remains of this can now be detected, the principal purpose of this re-scheduling is to protect the archaeological remains of that courtyard.

The area to be scheduled is irregular on plan, with maximum dimensions of 97m N-S by 44m E-W, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a relatively complete tower house within a walled courtyard, and that was built to high architectural standards for a known family. There is an added dimension of significance in the documentary evidence for an associated outer courtyard and in the likelihood of there being archaeological remains associated both with the lost outer courtyard and with structures that must have stood within the main courtyard.

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.