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

  SM5412_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011314)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of the remains of two horizontal water-mills of the type known as "Norse" mills.

These are examples of the earliest design of water mill where the wheel is set horizontally in the flow of the stream. They were probably constructed in the early 19th century and maintained in operation until the early 20th century. The pair of oval shaped drystone rubble buildings are connected by a lade, the bank of which is lined with boulders. The walls of the N building are intact and support a derelict roof. The mill has been restored in relatively recent years but lack of resources for maintenance has resulted in the rapid deterioration of the felt and turf covered roof. The upper floor is intact and both millstones are in place. There is also a wooden grain hopper. The second mill, 40m to the S, is ruined and provides an interesting contrast to the restored example. It contains a millstone in place in its upper storey.

The area to be scheduled is rectangular and measures a maximum of 20m E-W by 70m N-S to include the mills and lade but excluding the track which is the E boundary of the area to be scheduled, as marked in red on the attached map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because, although partly restored, it is a well preserved, representative example of a Norse mill in a reasonable state of repair. It preserves evidence that has the potential to contribute to our understanding of population ditribution, crofting history, local industry, agricultural economy and traditional vernacular skills, and displays technology virtually unchanged from the early middle ages which survived in widespread use until the early 20th century in particular areas 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.