Dairsie Castle

16th century Z-plan tower house. Ruinous. Fragments of north east and south west walls survive to height above 2nd floor. Main rectangular block is rubble-built, towers are of ashlar; remains of south tower has gun loops and has been converted to a dovecot; stair in north tower. Windows are square-headed with heavily chamfered margins.

INTERIOR: 2 vaulted chambers at ground level.

De-scheduled 12 May 1997.

What is a listed building?

Designation is the legal recognition of some of Scotland’s most important historic sites and places. Historic Environment Scotland (HES) designates scheduled monuments, listed buildings, historic battlefields, and gardens and designed landscapes.

HES makes recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Listing is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for buildings of special architectural or historic interest as set out in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.

HES list buildings which are found to be of special architectural or historic interest using the selection guidance published inDesignation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019) - external link.

About listed building records

Listed building records, like this one, provide an indication of the special architectural or historic interest of the listed building which has been identified by its statutory address. The description and additional information provided are supplementary and have no legal weight.

These records are not definitive historical accounts or a complete description of the building(s). If part of a building is not described it does not mean it is not listed. The format of the listed building record has changed over time. Earlier records may be brief and some information will not have been recorded.

Legal requirements

The legal part of the listing is the address/name of site which is known as the statutory address. Other than the name or address of a listed building, further details are provided for information purposes only.

HES does not accept any liability for any loss or damage suffered as a consequence of inaccuracies in the information provided. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing. Even if a number or name is missing from a listing address it will still be listed.

Listing covers both the exterior and the interior and any object or structure fixed to the building. Listing also applies to buildings or structures not physically attached but which are part of the curtilage (or land) of the listed building as long as they were erected before 1 July 1948.

While HES is responsible for designating listed buildings, the planning authority is responsible for determining what is covered by the listing, including what is listed through curtilage. However, for listed buildings designated or for listings amended from 1 October 2015, legal exclusions to the listing may apply.

If part of a building is not listed, it will say that it is excluded in the statutory address and in the statement of special interest in the listed building record. The statement will use the word ’excluding’ and quote the relevant section of the 1997 Act. Some earlier listed building records may use the word ’excluding’, but if the Act is not quoted, the record has not been revised to reflect subsequent legislation.

Planning and consents

Listed building consentis required for changes to a listed building which affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest. The relevant planning authority is the point of contact for applications for listed building consent.

Further information

Searchtrove.scot for information on scheduling andother designationsor visitHistoric Environment Scotland - external link.

You can also contact us on 0131 668 8914 ordesignations@hes.scot - external link