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

  SM4143_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600010104)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a medieval chapel, enclosure and burial ground. The site dates probably to sometime between the 10th-16th centuries, but may have earlier origins. The chapel is visible as the turf-covered foundations of a clay-bonded stone-built rectangular building, measuring 5.7m NE-SW by 3.1m transversely. Its walls are approximately 1m thick and stand up to 0.7m high. To the NE of the chapel is a sub-rectangular enclosure measuring 11m NE-SW by 5.5m transversely, defined by a low turf bank. The site occupies a low rocky ridge that overlooks Ballachuan Loch to the S. The monument is at sea level, within rough grassland on ground sloping to the S toward the loch. The monument was first scheduled in 1978, but the documentation does not meet modern standards: the present rescheduling rectifies this.

The area to be scheduled is rectangular in plan, measuring 30m NNE-SSW by 20m WNW-ESE, to include the remains of the chapel, the enclosure and the burial ground, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

National Importance

The monument is of national importance as the remains of an early ecclesiastical site. Important archaeological remains relating to the origins, use and development of the site in the medieval period, and possibly earlier, are expected to survive, including burials and possibly carved stones. Its significance is enhanced by its capacity to be compared with similar sites in the region. The loss of the monument would significantly diminish our ability to understand and appreciate the origins and nature of secular worship and the development of Christian sites in Seil and more widely across the west of Scotland.

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.