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

  SM8880_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013439)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of the fragmentary remains of Whitslaid tower. It occupies a site of considerable natural strength, having the Leader Water on the W side and a deep ravine to the N. The lands of Whytslaid are mentioned in a charter of Robert II, dated 1371. In the mid-17th century, the tower was owned by William Montgomery of Makbiehill. The tower itself probably dates from the 16th century.

The tower was planned as a simple oblong, measuring some 7.6m by 5.1m within walls averaging 2.1m in thickness, built in rubble masonry. The N wall has collapsed into a tumbled mass, revealing the barrel-vaulted basement. The main entrance to the tower was at the N end of the E wall giving direct access to a vaulted basement lighted by a narrow opening in the S wall.

From the S in-go of this doorway, a flight of straight steps ascends in the thickness of the S and E walls to the great hall on the first floor, and at least one upper floor. The first floor is now ruinous, with few identifiable features apart from a recess in the SW angle, which has evidently served as a latrine, having a built flue with an outlet near ground level.

The collapse of the N wall of the tower destroyed several features that were recorded earlier this century, namely two windows that lit the upper end of the hall and the hall fireplace. The upper part of the castle appears to have been reconstructed in the form of a gabled house at a late date, in a similar fashion to Barns Tower (Peebleshire), with which it shares several features.

The area to be scheduled includes the tower house and an area around it, which has the potential for associated archaeology. The area scheduled is square in shape and has maximum dimensions of 30m N-S and 30m 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. The straight stair rising within the wall thickness and serving the upper floors of the tower, is an unusual feature. 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.