Scheduled Monument

Vayne Castle, castle 290m SSW of VayneSM4015

Status: Designated

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.

Summary

Date Added
28/10/1977
Last Date Amended
28/07/2015
Supplementary Information Updated
12/07/2016
Type
Secular: castle
Local Authority
Angus
Parish
Fern
NGR
NO 49349 59920
Coordinates
349349, 759920

Description

The monument is the remains of Vayne Castle, built probably in the later 16th century and now visible as a ruin standing up to three storeys high. The castle was built on a Z-plan, and comprises a central rectangular block, a square tower at the NE angle and a circular tower at the SW angle. The topography of the site suggests that a courtyard lay to the S. The rectangular central block measures about 14m E-W by 9m transversely, giving internal dimensions of about 11m by 7m. The E gable survives to three storeys in height and provides evidence for a vaulted ground floor, a high first floor, and a second floor with extant fireplace and window aperture. A tower at the NE corner is smaller, measuring about 7m square externally, and a turret containing a wheel stair has been inserted in the angle between the tower and the E gable of the main block. The N and S walls of the NE tower stand to almost the same height as the E gable of the main block. A round tower at the SW corner of the main block measures about 7.5m in external diameter, and the base of a stair turret is visible, corbelled out at first floor level, in the angle between the round tower and the S front of the main block. The round tower now stands one to two storeys high, the N side being the best preserved. To the S of the buildings, the putative courtyard measures about 35m E-W by 25m transversely, with low earthworks suggesting a square SW corner. The castle lies at about 100m above sea level and stands just above the steeply sloping N side of Tammy's Pot, a den through which the Noran Water flows. The ground rises gradually away from the castle to the N, but the building occupies a commanding position when approached from the S. The scheduled area is a trapezium shape on plan, to include the remains of the castle and an area around it within which evidence for the castle's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduling specifically excludes the above-ground elements of modern post-and-wire fences. The monument was first scheduling in 1977, but the documents did not meet modern standards: the present amendment rectifies this.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a good example of a late medieval tower, with some unusual features and an identifiable courtyard area on the S side. It can make a significant addition to our understanding of fortified, high status dwellings in eastern Scotland and the use of areas immediately around such structures. Although a ruin, parts of the structure still stand three storeys tall, giving a good understanding and appreciation of the original form and height of the castle. In addition to the upstanding masonry, there is high potential for the presence of buried archaeological remains that can provide information about the date and character of the tower's occupation, including evidence for the daily life of the inhabitants, trading contacts and economy. The loss of the monument would diminish our ability to understand the form and function of medieval towers in eastern Scotland and their role in the expression of status.

References

Bibliography

Other Information

RCAHMS records the castle as NO45NE 1. The Angus SMR records it as NO45NE0001.

References

MacGibbon, D and Ross, T 1887-92, The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth centuries, 5v: 4, 55-8, fig 640. Edinburgh.

RCAHMS 1984 The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. The archaeological sites and monuments of central Angus, 2 (medieval and later), Angus District, Tayside Region, The archaeological sites and monuments of Scotland series, no 22, Edinburgh, 16, no 78.

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.

Images

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Printed: 04/05/2025 22:37