Designating Carsethorn Pier

Closed 28 Apr 2022

Opened 7 Apr 2022

Feedback updated 31 May 2022

We asked

From 7 to 28 April 2022, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) sought views on our proposal to designate Carsethorn pier as a scheduled monument.

The site is a nationally important monument that was found to meet our criteria for designation: Criteria. Carsethorn Pier is an archaeological feature that makes a significant contribution to our understanding and appreciation of the maritime heritage of southwest Scotland, and its contribution to the history of 19th century emigration.

Further details can be accessed on our Heritage Portal: Carsethorn Pier - Portal.

You said

We received 13 responses which contributed to our knowledge of the monument and also provided insight into how the pier is valued.

All of the responses were in favour of designating Carsethorn Pier as a scheduled monument. Each question related to our assessment of the monument in intrinsic, contextual and associative aspects were scored as "strongly agree" by 10 responses and "agree" by the remaining 3 responses.

We received additional comments, all supportive of the proposal and recognising the importance of the pier. Some comments from respondents include:

  •  "It gives a physical link into both emigration and maritime trade in the 19th Century."
  •  "Unique Solway feature makes the Carse beach instantly recognisable. Such strong history of shipping and emigration."
  • "It is important to keep relics of the past when Carsethorn was a trading centre."
  • "The pier is a striking visual component of the beach in front of the village today giving it context with a changing landscape."
  • "Basically the visual site of the jetty is a memory to the thousands who left for the New World. It is also a constant reminder of a seafaring/fishing history that mustn’t be lost."
     

We did

After considering the comments received during the consultation, we have now scheduled Carsethorn Pier as a nationally important monument.

Download the Report of Handling from our Heritage Portal: Carsethorn Pier - Designation

Overview

We are proposing to designate Carsethorn Pier as a scheduled monument –  an archaeological feature that makes a significant contribution to our understanding and appreciation of the maritime heritage of southwest Scotland, and its contribution to the history of 19th century emigration.

Carsethorn Pier, tops of wooden posts visible at high tide on a sunny day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carsethorn Pier at high tide © Courtesy of Andrew Dutton

We have launched this public consultation to gather views on our proposal to schedule this important site.  Find out more about scheduled monuments.

Carsethorn Pier, close up view of wooden posts at low tide on a partly sunny day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Detailed view of Carsethorn Pier at low tide © Courtesy of Andrew Dutton

Find out more about why we think Carsethorn Pier meets the criteria for scheduling by downloading our Report on Handling.

Why your views matter

We’d love to hear your thoughts and whether you agree with our proposal. You can do this by completing the short questionnaire below. We are also keen for any more information that you might have about the site, which will enhance our understanding of its significance and our record. 

This questionnaire usually takes 5-10 minutes to complete.