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

  SM849_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600003695)

Summary

Description

The monument is the remains of Cruivie Castle, built probably in the late 15th or early 16th century and now visible as a ruined tower standing two storeys high. The castle lies about 2km N of Balmullo on an outcrop of rock that projects about 3m above the surrounding, relatively level, ground. The site is around 50m above sea level. It is overlooked from the W and S, but has views to the N. The monument was originally scheduled in 1935, but the documentation did not meet modern standards: the present amendment rectifies this.

Cruivie Castle is a tower of 'L' -shaped plan, with a main block aligned N-S and a wing at its SE corner. The walls stand to a height of over 6m and represent the ground and first floors of the building. The interior of the main block measures 10.7m by 5.2m within walls 2.5m thick, while the interior of the wing measures 4.4m E-W by 3.2m transversely. The masonry is of large blocks of whin rubble, brought to courses and built with pinnings, but many of the dressings around the doors and windows have been removed. At ground-floor level, each block is occupied by a single cellar with no door between them; access to the ground floor of the main block was via a stair from the first floor, while a gap in the N wall of the wing may indicate an external door. The main entrance to the tower is at first-floor level, opening into the main block near the S end of the W wall. At this level, each part of the tower is again occupied by a single room, the main block being lit by windows to the N and E and the wing by a window opening S. The wing has a fireplace in the N wall and a garderobe in the SE angle. A doorway through the E wall of the main block links the two rooms and this wall also contains the remains of a straight stair that gave access to the second floor, now largely missing. The rock on which the tower stands has been cut away on all sides. There is no evidence that this quarrying was contemporary with construction of the castle and it probably post-dates the occupation of the tower as a high-status dwelling.

The scheduled area is irregular on plan, to include the remains of the castle and an area around it within which evidence for its construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduling specifically excludes the disused farm machinery lying in the area.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as an upstanding tower that can make a significant contribution to our understanding of castles and high-status dwellings in medieval Fife. It survives in relatively stable condition and stands to at least two storeys in height. It represents an important component of both the medieval and contemporary landscape. Unusual features include the position of the entrance and the lack of a doorway between the ground-floor rooms. In addition to the upstanding structure, there is good potential for buried archaeological remains that can provide information about the date and character of occupation. Documentary sources provide information about the date of the tower and people associated with it, showing that it was part of a royal grant made in 1539-40. The loss of the monument would diminish our ability understand the form and function of medieval towers in Fife and their role in the expression of status.

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.