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

  SM7085_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600012724)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a castle of 15th-16th century and its outbuildings.

The monument lies in rough pasture at around 180m OD. The main body of the castle survives as a substantial mound of rubble in which occasional wall footings can be discerned.

These suggest an original oblong shape, some 20m E-W by 10m with the possible remains of a tower at the W end. Immediately to the S is a substantial linear rock-cut ditch which appears both to have provided stone for the castle building and to have provided additional defence.

To the N and E of the castle are numerous low wall footings, probably representing the original coutrtyard and outbuildings. Slighter traces extend even further to the E and include low foundations, possibly of a former mill, on either side of a small stream.

The castle appears not have been in use for well over 250 years, since by 1724 it was already referred to as the "old ruinous Tower of Fintrie".

The area to be scheduled encompasses the remains described above 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 170m ENE-SSW by 90m as marked in red on the accompanying map.

The scheduling excludes above-ground parts of modern fence-lines and the above-ground remains of the sheepfold which lies on the E boundary of the scheduled area.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to our understanding of late medieval defensive structures. Of particular importance is the survival of outbuildings and the potential they contain to provide evidence for the castle's economy and social organisation.

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.