Tower and midden in the eroding face.
ShoreUPDATE 09/03/2014:
The tower is in poor condition, and the integrity of the surviving structure is doubtful. Part of the southwestern corner of the tower collapsed recently in January 2013 after a storm, and is now a pile of debris on the outside. According to local newspaper Fife Today, the rest of the structure was evaluated after this collapse by Fife Council and said to be 'generally secure' [http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/local-headlines/ancient-tower-tumbles-1-2767540]. Nevertheless, the masonry appears weak in several areas. There are gaps where stones have fallen off, one notable concentration of these being on the exterior of what remains of the recently collapsed western wall. The northern wall facing Kirkcaldy also has a long crack running through the centre, visible internally and externally.
Could not adequately judge the state of erosion based on observation and map/satellite imagery study, although the northeastern corner seems to be most immediately at risk.
SCHARP comment Oct 2016:
Tower in similar state to described. No further collapse noted.
Interesting 18th and 19th century graffiti and carving of a seal on rock platform on seaward side of the tower.
Location
327942.00
688522.00
27700
56.0840492
-3.1594641
Submitted photographs
Image
Date
Caption
User
23/10/2016
18th & 19th century graffiti on rock platform on seaward side of Seafield Tower
Tom
23/10/2016
Seal carving on rock platform on seaward side of Seafield Tower
Tom
23/10/2016
Foreshore in front of Seafield Tower
Tom
23/10/2016
Seafield tower
Tom
23/10/2016
Rubble on landward side of tower
Tom
23/10/2016
Seafield Tower interior
Tom
09/03/2014
Seafield Tower northeastern edge
Laurens
09/03/2014
Seafield Tower interior
Laurens
09/03/2014
Seafield Tower from northeast
Laurens
09/03/2014
Seafield Tower from southwest
Laurens
Submitted updates
Update id
Date
User
1586
09/03/2014
Laurens
Tidal state
Mid
Site located?
Yes
Proximity to coast edge
< 10m
Coastally eroding?
active sea erosion; has eroded in the past
Threats
structural damage/decay
Visibility above ground
Highly visible (substantial remains)
Access
accessible on foot (footpath)
Local knowledge
is well known; is well visited
Description
Tower and midden in the eroding face.
ShoreUPDATE 09/03/2015:
The tower is in poor condition, and the integrity of the surviving structure is doubtful. Part of the southwestern corner of the tower collapsed recently in January 2013 after a storm, and is now a pile of debris on the outside. According to local newspaper Fife Today, the rest of the structure was evaluated after this collapse by Fife Council and said to be 'generally secure' [http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/local-headlines/ancient-tower-tumbles-1-2767540]. Nevertheless, the masonry appears weak in several areas. There are gaps where stones have fallen off, one notable concentration of these being on the exterior of what remains of the recently collapsed western wall. The northern wall facing Kirkcaldy also has a long crack running through the centre, visible internally and externally.
Could not adequately judge the state of erosion based on observation and map/satellite imagery study, although the northeastern corner seems to be most immediately at risk.
SCHARP comment Oct 2016:
Tower in similar state to descriebed. No further collapse noted.
Interesting 18th and 19th century graffiti and carving of a seal on rock platform on seaward side of the tower.
Evaluate and monitor stability and safety of the tower structure.
Survey and record standing remains before more collapses occur.
Assess threat of erosion to archaeology.
Retain priorty 2. Tower structurally unstable and at risk from coastal processes during extreme weather events.
Comments
This site is known by many, being situated on a popular stretch of the Fife Coastal Path, and is regularly visited or bypassed by locals and walkers. Although the tower is fenced off (probably due to safety concerns), it is not difficult to access: the fence is broken at its southwestern end, leaving a gap near the pile of rubble, and does not block entry from the direction of the beach.
The tower is in poor condition, and the integrity of the surviving structure is doubtful. Part of the southwestern corner of the tower collapsed recently in January 2013 after a storm, and is now a pile of debris on the outside. According to local newspaper Fife Today, the rest of the structure was evaluated after this collapse by Fife Council and said to be 'generally secure' [http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/local-headlines/ancient-tower-tumbles-1-2767540]. Nevertheless, the masonry appears weak in several areas. There are gaps where stones have fallen off, one notable concentration of these being on the exterior of what remains of the recently collapsed western wall. The northern wall facing Kirkcaldy also has a long crack running through the centre, visible internally and externally.
Could not adequately judge the state of erosion based on observation and map/satellite imagery study, although the northeastern corner seems to be most immediately at risk.
