Scheduled Monument

St Mary's Chapel, WyreSM90317

Status: Designated

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.

Summary

Date Added
21/03/1929
Last Date Amended
03/06/1999
Type
Ecclesiastical: burial ground, cemetery, graveyard; chapel
Local Authority
Orkney Islands
Parish
Rousay And Egilsay
NGR
HY 44294 26284
Coordinates
344294, 1026284

Description

The monument comprises a chapel of medieval date together with its burial ground. It is in the care of the Secretary of State for Scotland and is being re-scheduled to clarify the extent of the protected area.

The monument lies on the NW side of the island of Wyre, at around 20m OD. It comprises a roofless chapel of late 12th-century date, measuring about 12m WSW-ENE by about 5m transversely. The chapel was partially restored in the late 19th or early 20th century and consists of a rectangular nave separated from a square-ended chancel by a rounded arch. The W door had a rounded head. Traces of original plaster are visible in both the nave and the chancel.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described and the walled burial ground surrounding it, within which related material may be expected to be found. It is quadrangular and defined by the outer face of the graveyard wall, having maximum dimensions of 35m from its northernmost point to its southernmost point and 32m from its easternmost point to its westernmost point, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a fine example of a small 12th-century chapel which contributes to our understanding of medieval ecclesiastical architecture and religious life. Its significance is enhanced by its close geographical association with Cobbie Row's Castle. The importance of the site is reflected in it being chosen as a Property in Care.

References

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as HY 42 NW 4.

Bibliography:

Ashmore, P. (1995) The ancient monuments of Orkney. HMSO; Edinburgh.

Cross, M. (1994) Bibliography of Monuments in the Care of the Secretary of State for Scotland, 601-2, Glasgow, 1994.

RCAHMS (1946) Twelfth Report with an Inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Orkney and Shetland, vol. II, Inventory of Orkney. HMSO; Edinburgh.

Historic Environment Scotland Properties

St. Mary's Chapel, Wyre

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/cubbie-roos-castle-and-st-marys-chapel

Find out more

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.

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Printed: 25/04/2024 11:08