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

  SM2584_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600002575)

Summary

Description

The monument is a motte, the earthwork mound of a castle likely to date from the 12th or 13th centuries AD. It is visible as a substantial mound with a ditch and bank to the north. The monument is located at the foot of the Kilsyth Hills at about 95m above sea level and has extensive views along the Kelvin Valley.

The motte is situated at the confluence of two streams and was constructed by enhancing a natural knoll. The mound  rises approximately 3.5m above the ground level of the field and about 12m above the banks of the surrounding stream. Three courses of a stone revetment is intermittently visible under the turf near the base of the motte along the northern arc. The mound has a flat oval summit which measures about 35m northwest-southeast by 26m transversely. There is a later track ascending the northeast flank of the mound. The ditch measures 5m in width and survives to a depth of 0.20m and the bank to a width of 1.5m and to a height of  0.20m high.

The scheduled area is irregular on plan and bounded by the streams to the east, west and south. The scheduled area includes the remains described above and an area around them within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduling specifically excludes the above-ground elements of the post and wire fence. The monument was last scheduled in 1967 but the documentation does not meet current standards; the present scheduling rectifies this.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to make a significant addition to the understanding of the past, in particular the dating, construction and function of  medieval castles. The monument retains its field characteristics and is a well-preserved example of its class, with little sign of disturbance other than a later track. Comparison with other excavated examples suggests that we can expect evidence for internal buildings and perimeter defences to survive. The monument's significance is enhanced as it is located in relatively close proximity to other mottes along the Kelvin Valley. This can enhance our knowledge of the distribution and chronology of medieval fortified earthworks in this area. The loss of this motte would significantly diminish our future ability to appreciate and understand medieval castles, settlement and land tenure, in medieval Scotland.

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.