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

  SM2967_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600009106)

Summary

Description

The monument is the remains of a motte and bailey castle. It was constructed before AD 1119, and was rebuilt as a 'pele' (or peel) by Edward I in 1302. The visible remains comprise a large, generally flat-topped mound with a round motte at the N end. The monument stands around 190m above sea level at the S end of the town of Selkirk, between the S end of Castle Street and Haining Loch. It forms part of the designed landscape of The Haining.

The monument occupies the S end of an irregular ridge that extends NNE-SSW from Selkirk towards Haining Loch. The S end of the ridge has been modified during the creation and remodelling of the castle to form a mound that measures about 145m NNE-SSW by 110m transversely. The highest feature is the motte at the N end. The summit slopes down to the SW and measures about 12m in diameter. Although the motte is now rounded and spread, its base is well defined to the S and E. The bailey lies to the S and SW. Its interior measures about 80m WSW-ENE and is relatively level, being defined by clear breaks of slope to the W and SW and more gradual ones to the E and SE. Beyond the bailey, the ground slopes away steeply to the SW and S. A long linear hollow aligned N-S bounds the motte and bailey on the E side. It measures 100m long and 16m wide and probably represents the remains of large ditch.

The scheduled area is irregular on plan, to include the remains described above and an area around them within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduling specifically excludes all timber and brick/concrete steps, the above-ground elements of all benches, waymark posts and the memorial to Ronald. The monument was first scheduled in 1970, but the documents did not meet modern standards: the present amendment rectifies this.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to make a significant addition to our understanding of the layout, construction and use of medieval castles. It was a royal castle and can enhance understanding of how castles were used by Scottish kings of the 12th and 13th centuries and by Edward I of England. The monument remains clearly readable as an earthwork, with both motte and bailey well-defined and bounded by steep slopes on several sides. The castle would have dominated the medieval landscape of Selkirk and continues to be a very significant feature of The Haining designed landscape. It is referred to in important documents such as the charter that established Selkirk Abbey, founded by David I before 1124 (when he became king). Other documents indicate the monument's role in the Wars of Independence in the early 14th century. The loss of the monument would significantly diminish our ability to appreciate and understand the establishment and remodelling of motte and bailey castles and 'peles' in Scotland and their role in medieval society.

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.