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

  SM10834_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013785)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of Cladh Langdale burial ground and possible chapel site. The monument was in use in the Early Christian period and later. It is visible as an earthwork within an enclosing wall, situated on the broad, NW bank of the River Naver in the Strathnaver steep-sided valley, at about 45m O.D..

Cladh Langdale is long-disused; it is first documented in 1769 and a burial apparently took place there at the beginning of the 19th century. A chapel at 'Langdale' or 'Langwell' is referred to in 19th-century accounts and it has been suggested that faint traces are discernible as a depression in the centre of the burial ground though there are a number of such features.

The elevated irregularly-shaped burial ground has maximum dimensions of 28m WSW-ENE by 21m NNW-SSE overall and is enclosed by a drystone revetment with square N and E corners but those at the SW end are more rounded in form. There may have been an entrance at the N corner indicated by the presence here of two flat slabs which, at one time, may have functioned as steps.

A shallow ditch surrounds the enclosure; its better definition on the SW side may suggest that the burial ground had been extended in this direction. This may be contemporaneous with the revetment and may explain the increased gradient and irregular shape of the burial ground in this locality. A number of graveslabs and header and footer stones have been identified within the enclosure.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related material may be found. It is irregular on plan with maximum dimensions of 43m SW-NE and 23m from the north-westmost conrenr to the south-eastmost, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract. The boundaries are defined by the outside edge of the bank that encloses the burial ground.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to our understanding of an Early Christian and Medieval ecclesiastical site. It is an unusual example of a substantial burial enclosure that preserves complex phases of extension. Its importance is also increased by its high archaeological potential given its early abandonment and this resource is worthy of protection given the lack of the documentary sources available.

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.