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

  SM11054_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013854)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the motte at Minnigaff, which is early Medieval in date and is visible as an upstanding earthwork. The monument stands in the middle of the village of Minnigaff on a promontory at the confluence of the Penkiln Burn and the River Cree at about 20m O.D.

The motte probably dates to before 1209 at which time the priest of the now ruined church to its immediate north, attested a deed. The complex of motte and church suggests that this was an early lordship centre. The motte is first recorded in 1298 when it is stormed by William Wallace.

A 17-20m wide ditch, which would have been significantly deeper than at present, cut off the S tip of the promontory. The summit is elliptical in plan, measuring 32m N-S by 13m E-W and tapering towards the S end. There is a hollow at its N end and a low stony bank is traceable on the S and W sides of the summit. A slight fragment of rampart at the NW corner was noted in 1893. There is a worn path to the motte summit on its N side and the whole mound has trees growing on it.

The building of the public road that links the Penkiln Bridge to the church scarped the S and W slopes, significantly altering the contours of the motte. The graveyard was extended into the area of the ditch, part of which has been arranged in terraces, and the footpath skirts around the E side of the motte to join the road. Masonry revetments have been built on the W side of the path and along the road.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described including an area around it within which related archaeological material may be found. It is irregular on plan with maximum dimensions of 56m N-S and 50m E-W as outlined in red on the accompanying map extract. All active burial lairs and the upper 10cm of all existing paths are excluded from the scheduling.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as an example of an early Medieval lordship centre. Its association with the adjacent ecclesiastical site increases its importance, its role within the area as a whole and as a focal point around which settlement developed. It has the potential to contribute to our understanding of the social and political dimensions of the period.

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.