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

  SM1197_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600003972)

Summary

Description

The monument is a ruinous L-shaped house reputedly abandoned in 1650 after being burnt down by Cromwell's troops.

The main block runs roughly E-W with a slightly projecting tower on the S. The vaults of the cellars on the ground floor are intact with a corridor on the south side connecting them. There is a turnpike stair rising to the first floor within the southern tower and one cellar beyond this to the E. The projecting arm of the tower to the N contains the main kitchen which now lacks its vault.

There is a turnpike stair in the re-entrant angle which rose to all the upper floors. On the first floor there is little to define the main hall which, in all likelihood, overlay the three western cellars. The S tower at this level had four windows across its width and another on each return forming a fine bay of six square-headed windows. All but one of these are now walled up.

This may have marked the position of the dais in the hall before the insertion into this bay of the turnpike stair which rises only to the first floor. There are considerable banks against the walls, formed of toppled masonry from the building.

The area to be scheduled includes the standing remains and an area 5m wide around on all sides, but excluding upstanding structures associated with the neighbouring modern house. The area is L-shaped measuring 34m WSW-ENE by 25m at its broadest as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

This monument is of national importance because, though ruinous, it shows the development of a fine residence in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries; from a simple rectangular tower, to an L-plan to a more palatial residence. Also the ground around the tower rises significantly suggesting undisturbed fallen remains which may prove to be archaeologically rich.

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.