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

  SM9110_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013465)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of the earthwork remains of a motte, situated high on the north bank of the River Spey, about 1km north of Boat of Garten. The motte exploits the natural strength of an oblong plateau bounded on one side by the Spey. This accounts for its rather unusual shape, lying with its main axis NE and SW. The motte does not conform to the classic pudding-bowl profile; instead, the three landward sides of the plateau are defended by V-shaped ditches, almost 3m deep. At the E end of the enclosed area there is a rectangular depression, possibly the site of a building; in the 19th century it was reported that the summit of the motte had traces of grass-covered foundations.

The name Tom Pitlac is associated with Bigla Cumin (an alternative name for the site is Bigla Cumming's Castle), daughter of Gilbert Cumin, Lord of Glenchearnach in the early 15th century. However, an earthwork castle such as Tom Pitlac is more likely to date to the 12th or 13th centuries. The association with Bigla Cumming may represent later re-use in the 15th century, or even continuity of use.

The area to be scheduled includes the motte and an area around in which features associated with the motte's construction and use may survive, and measures a maximum of 85m along its long axis, by a maximum of 65m transversely, as marked in red on the attached map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a well-preserved motte situated in an area of Scotland which has few monuments of this kind. The exploitation of a natural plateau, the form of the earthwork, and the re-use or continued use of the site in the later medieval period are interesting features and help to demonstrate the complex nature of such monuments. The archaeology of this monument has the potential to increase our knowledge about the construction techniques, defences and domestic life of such early castles.

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.