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

  SM8876_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013437)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of the fragmentary remains of Corsbie tower, a 16th century tower house that stands on a large and prominent mound surrounded by a bog. On top of and surrounding the mound, there are traces of earthworks, which may relate to an earlier, earth and timber castle. The tower is approached from the N, where a causeway leads across the marshy ground up onto the knoll.

Corsbie is believed to have been the property of the Cranstouns of Oxenford from an early period until the middle of the 17th century.

The tower was planned as an oblong structure, measuring some 12m by 8.3m over walls averaging 1.8m in thickness. Only the S and E walls remain, rising to 15.24m in height. The masonry consists of coursed rubble, excepting at the angles, which are rounded and built with dressed ashlar.

The ground and top floors both appear to have been vaulted, and the upper area of the tower has been later converted into a doocot. The surviving openings have chamfered arrisses, while the only fireplace, on the second floor, has rounded arrisses. The traces of a turnpike stair can be seen rising in the S corner; it appears to have given access to the upper floors and at least one mural chamber.

The raised ground on which the tower stands has been defended by earth works; these are best preserved on the SW, where they comprise inner and outer banks and a medial ditch. The tower itself appears to have been surrounded by another rampart with inner ditch, of which only stretches to the S and W remain. Immediately to the SW of the W angle of the tower is the outline of a possible outbuilding.

The area to be scheduled includes the mound, tower house, earthworks and causeway, and an area around it which has the potential for associated archaeology. The area is irregular in shape and has maximum dimensions of 200m N-S and 165m E-W as marked in red on the attached map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as an example of a 16th century tower house surrounded by earthwork defences. The scale of the defences and the extremely defensive nature of the site suggest that this was the site of an earlier earth and timber castle, such as a ringwork.

Thus, the site may demonstrate the development of the castle from an earth and timber construction to a tower house in the midst of a number of auxiliary buildings. The unusual construction of the corners of the tower enhances the importance of this monument. The archaeology of this monument has the potential to greatly increase our knowledge about the construction techniques, defences and function of such monuments.

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.