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

  SM11253_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013919)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a post-medieval mill, lade and trackway.

The mill building, measuring 17m N-S by 4m E-W and visible as an upstanding ruin, is located on a level platform on the S bank of the River Avon at c 85m OD. The S gable end stands almost to full height, although much of the rest of the building has been reduced to foundation level. The remains of an outshot, measuring c. 11m E-W by 6m N-S, with a rounded end on the E side, can be traced at ground level on the E side of the mill building. The route of the lade and access trackway can be traced from the S end of the mill through woodland on the higher slopes of the river bank.

The site is also the reported location of the cottage where Henry Bell, builder of the prototype steamboat 'The Comet' was born in 1767. A commemorative plaque to Henry Bell has been placed on the S side of the S gable of the mill building.

The mill, and a second unroofed building are annoted Ruins on the 1st edition OS 6-inch map (Linlithgowshire 1856, sheet 5). Both buildings are also present on an 1818 map of Linlithgowshire drawn by William Forrest (1799-1832), labelled 'Old Mill'. Roy's Military Survey of Scotland (1747-55) confirm this to be the location of 'Torphichen Mill' (sheet 6/6).

The area to be scheduled is irregular on plan, with maximum dimensions170m NW-SE by 50m NE-SW, to include the mill, associated features and an area around in which evidence relating to their construction and use may survive, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to our understanding of post-medieval milling. It is of particular importance because of the survival of significant parts of the water management system, and because of the association with Henry Bell.

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.