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

  SM6451_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600012339)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a tower house and its associated buildings, situated on the E slope of Tushie Law, W of the B709 road.

The monument comprises the remains of a small, oblong tower some 7.3m N-S by about 8.8m E-W on plan. This is the northernmost of 4 buildings which once enclosed an open court of irregular shape. The buildings on the W and E sides are now represented by their foundations. A storehouse on the SE corner is connected to the tower by the remains of a wall. The storehouse is fairly complete up to the crown of the vault that covers the basement.

It is entire for nearly a third of its total length of approximately 19.7m. Its width varies from about 7.2m at the N end to some 6.4m at the S. The basement is entered from the W and is lit by roughly-formed slits in all 4 walls. There is an aumbry in the N gable. Below the vault there has been a loft.

On the E side of the court a wall of enclosure runs N in line with the E wall of the storehouse for approximately 10m, then turns W to meet an extension of the E wall of the tower. To the N and E of the court and buildings there is a walled enclosure some 12.5m N-S and approximately 16.2m E-W.

In 1507 James IV granted a feu charter of the forest stead and lands of "Truschelaw" to Adam Scott with the right to build a tower and fortalice. This laird, the "king of theivis" according to Bishop Leslie, was convicted in 1530 of "theftuously taking Black-maill" and was beheaded. The manor of Tuschelaw is on record in 1592, but in the 'Retours' of 1633 only the lairds are mentioned.

The area to be scheduled encompasses the visible remains and an area around them in which traces of associated activity may be expected to survive. It is irregular in shape with maximum dimensions of 100m N-S by 70m E-W as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its contribution, and potential to contribute through excavation, to our understanding of late medieval domestic defensive architecture and the lives of the castle's inhabitants. Its importance is increased by the survival of the remains of buildings associated with the tower's courtyard.

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.