Description

The monument comprises the remains of a castle known as Gascon Hall, visible as upstanding ruins, and a rectilinear enclosure, visible as a cropmark on oblique aerial photographs and probably of contemporary date.

The monument lies in arable farmland at around 15m OD, on a low knoll overlooking the River Earn. It consists of a column of mortared masonry measuring about 2m square and about 2.5m high. On the SW side are traces of vaulting, and on the NE side are traces of a stair. A section of wall-facing survives on the N.

A straight-edged, rectilinear enclosure is visible as a cropmark surrounding the site of the tower. It measures approximately 90m by 55m, defined by a ditch about 3m wide. There is no clear evidence for the date of the enclosure, but its alignment with the tower implies a relationship between the two features.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described and an area around them within which material related to their construction and use may be expected to survive. It is irregular in shape, with maximum dimensions of 120m ENE-WSW by 90m, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to an understanding of medieval defended settlement. The relationship between the tower and the rectilinear enclosure is of particular interest at this site.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NN 91 NE 14 and 31.

Aerial Photographs used:

RCAHMS (1984) A 64617 NN91NE14, 31.

RCAHMS (1992) B 79167 NN91NE14, 31.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland