Documents

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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

  SM9264_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013482)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of the remains of a Z-plan tower situated on Inveruglas Isle, off the west shore of Loch Lomond. On the island there are also the remains of a substantial jetty and other buildings which may be associated with the castle.

Inveruglas Castle was the principal seat of the Clan Macfarlane. The castle is believed to have been abandoned and partial destroyed during the Commonwealth (1649-1660) by Cromwellian Troops.

The tower measures overall 12m E-W by 9.5m N-S with round towers on the NE and SW angles. The structure now only stands to first floor height. The castle is of two main phases; the original structure was a simple oblong tower to which the corner towers were later added. The alterations probably took place in the latter half of the 16th century in an attempt to modernise the castle. The castle is simply but well constructed in random rubble roughly brought to courses and with small quoins. The castle is partly built on bedrock outcrops, which have been incorporated into the walls of the castle.

Due to the destruction of the upper floors of the castle, there are few notable features. There is no evidence that the ground floor was vaulted, or that there was a ground floor entrance. At first floor level in the main block there is evidence of a fireplace midway along the S wall. The SW tower has the remains of an opening, probably a window, at first floor level. The only other features are numerous small rectangular openings that pierce the two angle towers at ground and first floor. They appear to be crude gun ports.

To the E of the tower, there are two buildings. The E of these is a rectangular stone structure orientated N to S and measuring 13m by 5.6m over walls on average 0.8m thick. An entrance, c.1m wide, is located in the E wall. By the SW corner of the building, there is a rectangular drystone structure. The overall dimensions, including the walls, are approximately 8.7m N to S by 4.4m E to W. There is a fine drystone jetty and landing stage at the SE corner of the island. The relationship of these structures to the castle cannot be determined.

The area to be scheduled corresponds to the total area of Inveruglas Isle. The area is irregular in shape and has maximum dimensions of 60m N-S and 55m transversely as marked in red on the attached map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as the remains of a small medieval tower house perhaps with associated structures. The addition of the angle towers to create a Z-plan tower is an interesting feature demonstrating how very simple towers could be adapted to changing fashions. The archaeology of this monument has the potential greatly to increase our knowledge about the defences, domestic life and function of such monuments.

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.