Scheduled Monument

Auldcathie ChurchSM5610

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
17/02/1993
Supplementary Information Updated
19/07/2021
Type
Ecclesiastical: church
Local Authority
West Lothian
Parish
Kirkliston
NGR
NT 07867 76024
Coordinates
307867, 676024

Description

The monument consists of the roofless ruin of a pre-Reformation chapel. The building appears to have been constructed partly from the remains of an earlier building, as packing material within the walls may contain fragments of late 14th-century fabric.

The structure is oblong on plan, measuring 11m E-W by 6.1m N-S over walls 0.7m thick. The N and S walls, which are incomplete, are constructed of coursed random rubble with some freestone dressings. Both windowless gables are intact, reaching a height of about 5m. The E one retains three of its dressed skews. In the lower wall, towards the S side, is an aumbry, and above this are three image brackets.

The W gable is intaken at wallhead level (2.3m). Recent repointing with cement has occured and the walls have probably been consolidated in the past. There have been opposed entrances towards the W end. Only the S entrance is intact, retaining its chamfered jambs. The S wall contains two splayed windows with chamfered jambs grooved for glass. The N wall is much reduced and was apparently blind.

The area to be scheduled is rectangular, measuring a maximum of 40m E-W by 35m N-S, to include the church and a surrounding area where further features are likely to survive, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as an example of a private chapel which prior to the 15th century had attained parochial status. Although the present building has been much altered it still provides physical evidence and has the potential to provide further evidence, through research and excavation, for ecclesiastical architecture, parish evolution and patronage, and material culture in pre-Reformation Scotland.

References

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NT07NE 6.

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: 20/07/2025 03:24