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

  SM951_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600003775)

Summary

Description

This monument consists of the remains of a medieval tower and an area around it.

The very fragmentary condition of the castle - only the N and S walls have masonry standing to any great height - makes interpretation of the building difficult. It is a simple rectangular tower which appears to have had its entrance on the first floor with access to the ground-floor cellar being from above. The tower rose to a second floor with the third floor being a garret at wall head level.

The area to be scheduled is rectangular, extending 20m out from the N and S walls of the tower and 23m out from the E and W walls, to include the tower and an area which may contain evidence relating to its construction and use. Excluded from the scheduling are the electrical fittings (but not the housings or cable runs) of the floodlights, and the bench and interpretation board to the W of the tower. The area measures approximately 60m WSW-ENE by 50m and is marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

This monument is of national importance as a prominent tower in a strategic position above Kyle Akin. Built by the MacKinnon family in the 15th century, it was the location of a meeting of chiefs after James V's death, where it was decided to raise Sir Donald MacDonald to the dignity of Lord of the Isles. Tradition associated the site with King Haakon of Norway and it may be that the visible remains replaced an earlier structure. The castle and the surrounding area have the potential to increase our knowledge of the use of such key sites on the Highland West Coast.

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.