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

  SM5375_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011277)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of the remains of Talla Castle, which belonged to the Earls of Menteith.

This complex residence occupies the greater part of the small island of Inchtalla which is located SW of the Isle of Menteith. The castle buildings are grouped round a central courtyard. They date from the seventeenth century and supercede an earlier residence. The N section

of the island has a rectangular, unvaulted hall with a square stair tower projecting from the NW angle. Its walls survive to wall head (c.5m) level, excepting the tower which is reduced to a height of 1m. The hall had an upper floor divided into two apartments. The masonry

is of neat thin coursed stone with large freestone dressings. The tower contained the staircase to the upper floor and had three rooms in each of three stories. To the E of the hall is the brew-house a rough drystone construction of rectangular plan, its walls are reduced to under 1m in height. The S portion of the island is occupied by the "high house". Its masonry is coarser than that of the N range. This L-shaped vaulted keep is the oldest building on the island. It had a square exterior stair tower projecting from the N wall. Contained in the W wing was the kitchen which had an exterior oven of circular shape. Extending from the kitchen along the W side

of the island is a range of buildings that were the servants apartments. The presence of rows of corbels and put-log holes on the exterior walls of the N and S buildings suggest that much of the castle was furnished with a wooden walkway extending over the Lake.

The area to be scheduled is irregular and measures a maximum of 100m NW-SE by 50m to include the entire island, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a residence of late medieval date. Inchtalla itself has been the site of earlier occupation: the seat of the Earls of Menteith since the 13th century. The 17th century castle is well documented and invetoried. This evidence combined with that preserved by its physical remains is valuable to those researching the development of defensive architecture and the domestic lives of those who occupied the island. Additional significance is given to the site due to its connection with the foundation and patronage of the Augustinian priory of Inchmahome by Walter Stewart, Earl of Menteith.

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.