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

  SM8744_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013408)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a tower of late 16th century date, visible as upstanding remains.

The monument is located on cliffs overlooking the Car rocks, at around 10m OD. It comprises the remains of a rectangular building, measuring approximately 16m by 6m in extent. At the western end, there is evidence for the presence of a small rectangular wing which may have been a stair tower. In places, the building still stands to a height of around 3m, but it is possible that the upper levels of the structure have been reconstructed.

Nonetheless, the footings remain original, and the remains of a fireplace, a window and a slop drain can be identified. These features suggest that the building is likely to date to the late 16th century. The tower is now known locally as 'Sligo's Lookout', Sligo perhaps referring to a Mr George Sligo, an antiquarian who was active in the Seacliff area during the 19th century.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described and an area around them in which related material may be expected to be found. It is irregular on plan, measuring a maximum extent of 40m from W to E by 25m transversely, as marked in red upon the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to our understanding of fortified house structures in the medieval period. Stratified archaeological deposits are likely to survive within the monument during the period since its abandonment.

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.