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

  SM2994_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600002578)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the earthwork remains of a castle site likely to date to the 12th century AD. It is visible as an uneven mound surrounded by an intermittent double bank and ditch on its north, west and east sides. The monument is located on a gentle south-facing slope at around 180m above sea level and overlooks Mains Castle 125m to the south.

The approximate triangular form of the monument extends 90m north to south by 100m east to west. The interior platform is 65m north to south by 45m east to west. A break in the surrounding banks and built up ground in the ditches of the northeast corner indicate the likely position of the entrance. Archaeological surveys have indicated potential structures within the interior.

The area to be scheduled is polygonal on plan, to include the remains described above and an area around them within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment are expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduling specifically excludes the above-ground elements of transmission poles, post and wire fencing, gates and the modern surfaces of tracks, to allow for their maintenance. The monument was first scheduled in 1973, but the documentation did not meet current standards: the present rescheduling 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 construction and function of medieval castles. It retains its field characteristics as a well-preserved example of an early castle site. Its twin ditch and bank arrangement and overall, triangular plan form is unusual, potentially indicating a pre-12th century origin, which  adds to its significance. The associated documentary evidence also adds to our understanding of the monument, particularly how it and similar sites would have functioned as centres of lordship. This example can inform us about medieval settlement and the wider control of land in the southwest during the feudalisation of Scotland. The loss of this example would significantly diminish our future ability to appreciate and understand 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.