Moats (Hansard, 28 October 1993)

§ Sir Hector Monro

[holding answer 27 October 1993]: The subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by Historic Scotland. I have asked its chief executive, Mr. Graeme Munro, to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from G. N. Munro to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 28 October 1993: Sir Hector Monro MP, the Minister for Agriculture and Environment at The Scottish Office has asked me to reply to your two recent Parliamentary Questions about moated sites of archaeological interest. Firstly, you asked what action was being taken to record and preserve such sites. The recording of sites of archaeological interest in Scotland is the responsibility of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), and their preservation through scheduling and management, is the responsibility of Historic Scotland. Moated sites (which are most frequent in south-west Scotland) are dealt with in exactly the same fashion as all other sites of archaeological interest. They are recorded by written description and by photographic and drawn illustrations and these records are made available either by printed publication or through the National Monuments Record of Scotland, which the Royal Commission maintains. There is no scheduling campaign directed specifically towards moated sites, but their merits are considered along with all other sites when geographical areas are being considered in the agency's rolling scheduling programme. Secondly, you asked if the Secretary of State would list the surveys and excavations currently being carried out on moated sites of archaeological interest. The RCAHMS is responsible for carrying out such surveys. They inform me that 8 such sites were surveyed in Scotland in the last year-6 in Annandale and 2 in south east Perthshire. I understand the Royal Commission plan to survey 3 sites next year. There are no excavations currently being carried out on such sites. If you have concerns about specific moated sites in Scotland I would be pleased to hear and to consider them.