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

  SM9566_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013549)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a rectangular church thought to be of medieval origin, of which all four walls survive to varying heights.

The monument is situated in an area of woodland within the grounds of Old Faskally House, at about 180m O.D. The structure comprises a roofless church measuring c. 10.1m ENE-WSW by 5.4m with walls c. 0.65m thick. Although probably largely of post-medieval construction in its present form, the existence of an aumbry in the north wall suggests the building is of medieval origin.

The doorway is set centrally in the S side with a re-used stone as alintel; this stone is a dressed slab with a plain sunken Latin cross at the top of one of its short sides, which faces outward above the doorway. The underside of the slab has been partly cut to shape to form the lintel. The inner face is built into the thickness of the wall and the top of the stone is shrouded with moss so it is impossible to say if there is any other sculpture on this stone. It is likely that it originally stood upright in the ground.

The dimensions of the lintel are: length at face c. 1.55m; total length of slab c1.6m; breadth c.0.18m; width 0.26m. The cross itself measures 42.5cm by 16cm. A stone in the outer face of the wall between the doorway and the E gable bears two incised symbols, apparently alpha and omega. In the interior are several grave slabs, one dated 1610, but there is no trace of a burial ground. The church is set centrally on a large knoll measuring c. 38m in diameter by 4.5m high, with a levelled summit area measuring c. 17.5m in diameter.

A recumbent stone lies on the ground within the church. The ends of the slab are rounded off and it is carved with three crosses in a row, somewhat towards one end. These are not 'Maltese', as recorded by Dixon, but plain, roughly equal-armed incised crosses. A 17th century date has been added to one end of the slab (1.8.1685), which measures 173cm by 45cm.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related material may be expected to be found. It is rectangular in shape and measures 30 metres from north-east to south-west and 40 metres from north-wast to south-east, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to an understanding of post-Reformation ecclesiastical architecture. Its significance is increased by its potential historic importance.

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.