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

  SM5616_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011514)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of the remains of a 16th century towerhouse known as Corston Tower.

The tower, originally rectangular, is situated in a cultivated field 600m W of Strathmiglo. In the 16th century the lands of Corston belonged to John Ramsay, a descendant of the house of Carnock. Corston came into the possession of the Colquoun family circa 1669. The building partially collapsed in 1887, leaving only the NE wall standing. This portion measures 8.1m in length, is 1.3m thick and about 9m high. Surviving footings suggest a ground plan measuring

8.1m NW-SE by 7.7m NE-SW.

Corston had a vaulted basement, two upper storeys and an attic. Joist holes for ceiling beams can be seen in the remaining wall. The masonry is pink sandstone rubble with ashlar dressings. Lord Bute acquired the tower in 1888 when repairs were carried out including securing the walls with iron brackets; and rebuilding the lower portions of the NW and SE walls. The foundations of outbuildings connected with the castle were apparent in the late 19th century; with a kitchen at the SW corner.

The garden, including a dovecot, extended for "three quarters of a Scotch acre" and lay to the SE. These features are no longer visible above ground. The area to be scheduled is rectangular, measuring a maximum of 65m E-W by 90m N-S, to include the tower and a surrounding area in which further associated features are likely to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a good example of a defensive towerhouse dating from the 16th century. As such it provides material evidence which has the potential, through excavation, to shed light on the social organisation and material culture of the stronghold's previous inhabitants. The importance of the towerhouse is enhanced by the survival of the remains of ancillary buildings.

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.