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

  SM319_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600003233)

Summary

Description

The castle consists of two ditches cutting off a promontory on which stands a simple oblong tower measuring 11m by 9m and rising to four storeys to end in roofless angle-turrets at three corners, the fourth having been occupied by the caphouse and stairhead at the NW angle. Part of the curtain walling remains of the S side of a courtyard to the E of the tower; this appears not to be contemporary with the construction of the tower. The entrance, at basement level, is now blocked up.

There has been an entrance at first floor level, doubtless reached by a timber stair. The two ditches lie, respectively, 40m and 85m SE of the tower. The inner is very broad and is now some 3m deep; the outer one is a better defined and has surviving scarp 3m high and a counterscarp 1.5m high. The outer ditch lies at the boundary of rough pasture and arable land.

To the SE of the outer ditch, in the arable land, RCAHMS aerial photography in 1978 showed the existence of four further ditches, appearing now only as crop-marks, cutting off the gentle approach to the promontory. Three of the ditches appear to be associated with palisades. Near the NE end of the ditches, where they approach the cliff edge, a complex entrance is visible. Through the three inner ditches the entrance is straight. The gap in the outer ditch is protected by an extension of the ditch from the S, so that the entrance must be approached obliquely from the NE.

Something is known of the history of occupation of the site. It was owned by the Davidson's in the 15th century and passed to the Kennedy's in 1588. The tower bears the inscription 'JK 1603', which probably dates its construction. The site was defended before the construction of the tower; the two medieval ditches may be part of the fortalice known to have existed. The four ditches appearing as crop-marks are certainly of Iron Age date, the defences of a promontory fort.

The area proposed for scheduling measures 140m NNW-SSE and a maximum of 140m ENE-WSW.

Statement of National Importance

The national importance of the monument should be considered in 2 parts. The castle tower now standing has superseded an earlier fortalice, whose substantial earthworks still survive. Their field characteristics and archaeology are important to the theme of the development of defended sites in the medieval period. The Iron Age promontory fort is a significant discovery, and will be an important site in the exposition of the lowland Iron Age. It is of national importance to the themes of Iron Age defence and social organisation, the former particularly on account of an unusual entrance feature on the outer line of defence.

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.