Documents

Where documents include maps, the use of this data is subject to terms and conditions (https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/termsandconditions).

The legal document available for download below constitutes the formal designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The additional details provided on this page are provided for information purposes only and do not form part of the designation. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within this additional information.

• Type

  Legal Documents

  Title

  SM10495_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013674)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of an extensive prehistoric settlement on a SE-facing slope above Strath Sgitheach. The settlement contains at least eight hut circles, the circular foundations of prehistoric timber houses, set in areas of small cairns of field-cleared stones on a heather-clad hillside, just above forestry planting.

There are also at least three cup-marked boulders within the area, of unknown purpose but presumed prehistoric date, and more may well exist. The hut circles have dimensions ranging from 13m by 11m to 9m by 7m, and where entrances can be seen these are all in the SE or S arcs. The most easily visible hut circles are a loose group of three on the SW bank of the Allt nan Raichean.

The area to be scheduled is a very irregular figure-of eight shape on plan, measuring a maximum of 640m NE-SW by a maximum of 260m transversely. This area includes the hut circles, the field clearance cairns and the cup-marked boulders, as well as an area of land around and among these features in which evidence relating to their construction and use is likely to survive. The area is indicated in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a well-preserved late prehistoric settlement which has the potential to provide information about prehistoric domestic and agricultural activities and land-use changes. The close association of a settlement with a number of cup-marked boulders is unusual, although the significance of this is not known.

References

Bibliography

About Scheduled Monuments

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

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

Scheduling is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for monuments and archaeological sites of national importance as set out in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

We schedule sites and monuments that are found to be of national importance using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Scheduled monument records provide an indication of the national importance of the scheduled monument which has been identified by the description and map. The description and map (see ‘legal documents’ above) showing the scheduled area is the designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The statement of national importance and additional information provided are supplementary and provided for general information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within the statement of national importance or additional information. These records are not definitive historical or archaeological accounts or a complete description of the monument(s).

The format of scheduled monument records has changed over time. Earlier records will usually be brief. Some information will not have been recorded and the map will not be to current standards. Even if what is described and what is mapped has changed, the monument is still scheduled.

Scheduled monument consent is required to carry out certain work, including repairs, to scheduled monuments. Applications for scheduled monument consent are made to us. We are happy to discuss your proposals with you before you apply and we do not charge for advice or consent. More information about consent and how to apply for it can be found on our website at www.historicenvironment.scot.

Find out more about scheduling and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.