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

  SM5583_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011481)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of the remains of Alyth old parish church.

The church dedicated to St Moloc (Moluag) is documented from 1352 although a church is likely to have been here from the time of the establishment of the parish network in Scotland during the 12th and 13th centuries. The surviving fragment of the old church stands in its surrounding burial ground about 120m ENE of the present parish church. All that remains of the monument is the N arcade of three

bays with round-headed arches and octagonal piers, having a portion of walling at either end (25.4m in overall length); the shorter section at the W end is re-modelled as a buttress and the part at the E belonged to one of the walls of the chancel.

The remnants suggest a building with a square-ended chancel, a nave and aisles, and a N aisle chapel or sacristy. The fragment of the E wall, although remodelled, contains a section of external plinth course, a blocked round-headed doorway and an upper level, arched window. On the S face of the wall is a square aumbry; on the N face are two aumbries, one with a triangular head. The aisle arcade is probably of late 15th or early 16th century date. A stone fixed in the burial ground wall

beside the N gate is dated 1629. The burial ground contains several 17th and 18th century grave stones.

The area to be scheduled is square, measuring a maximum of 30m E-W by 30m N-S and centred on the church, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as the remains, although fragmentary, of a parish church originating in the 12th or 13th century which was latterly of sophisticated design, a rare survival among Scottish parish churches of the Medieval period. On record from 1352, it has a complex building history, the phases of which may only be clarified through a combination of historical research and archaeological excavation. In addition it is likely to provide evidence which may increase our understanding of parish evolution, espiscopal patronage, social organisation and material culture in Scotland during the Medieval period.

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.