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

  SM10561_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013703)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a fish trap of post-medieval date.

The monument lies at the head of Loch a' Chumhainn, some 250m SW of Dervaig Church. The gap of about 85m between the tidal island of Eilean na Carraidh and the promontory called Druim na Carraidh on the SW shore is spanned by an irregular wall of dry-stone construction incorporating two V-shaped inlets, each about 6m in width at the mouth and 8m in length.

The superstructure, which stands to a height of 1.8m and is composed of small boulders, evidently owes its excellent state of preservation to the continuous maintenance undertaken by successive generations of a local family.

The lowest course of the wall, however, which is constructed of massive boulders and has an average width of about 1.9m, appears to be of considerable antiquity. At the head of the SW inlet a 'gate' filled with small stones is formed between two large squared blocks set 1.2m apart.

This feature was evidently designed to allow fish into the trap at states of the tide when water did not reach the top of the wall. It is worthy of mention that the names 'Eilean na Carraidh' and 'Druim na Carraidh' apparently contain a variant of the Gaelic 'cairidh', meaning a fish trap, by which the structure is still known today.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related material is likely to survive. It is roughly sub-rectangular in shape, with maximum measurements of 95m SW-NE by 41m NW-SE, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to an understanding of post-medieval coastal settlement and economy, especially relating to the fishing industry. Its importance is increased by its proximity to other monuments of potentially contemporary date.

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.