Scheduled Monument

Blackhill, palisaded enclosure 260m SW ofSM11428

Status: Designated

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.

Summary

Date Added
09/03/2007
Type
Prehistoric domestic and defensive: palisaded enclosure
Local Authority
Highland
Parish
Inverness And Bona
NGR
NH 71643 47892
Coordinates
271643, 847892

Description

The monument comprises the remains of an enclosed settlement of prehistoric date, visible as a cropmark on oblique aerial photographs. It lies in arable farmland, at 10 m above sea level, where it is located approximately 100 m from the present-day shoreline of the Moray Firth.

The cropmark shows a palisaded enclosure, a narrow ditch measuring around 30 m in diameter. A second cropmark measuring about 10 m in diameter and visible in the NE side of the interior may represent a roundhouse.

The area proposed for scheduling is circular on plan, centred on the centre of the palisade enclosure, to include the remains described and an area around them within which related material may be expected to be found, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

Cultural Significance

The monument's archaeological significance can be expressed as follows:

Intrinsic characteristics: The monument is unexcavated and has considerable potential to enhance understanding of defended settlements in the Inverness area, specifically palisade enclosures. The addition of internal features indicates that archaeological remains of settlement may be preserved; these would further enhance our knowledge of the use and development of these sites.

Contextual characteristics: The monument is a rare example of a prehistoric defended settlement. The site is one of a small number so far identified in Highland. Its characteristics are similar to others found along the coast of the Moray Firth. As a group, these sites could potentially enhance our understanding of prehistoric settlement and economy in the N of Scotland.

National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to make a significant addition to the understanding of the past, in particular prehistoric settlement and economy. Its proximity to other monuments of potentially contemporary date increases its importance. The loss of, or damage to, the monument would diminish the capacity of the class to contribute to our understanding of prehistoric settlement and landuse in N Scotland.

References

Bibliography

RCAHMS record the monument as NH74NW 32.

Aerial photographs / AP transcriptions:

RCAHMS, 1996, C72824, Blackhill.

RCAHMS, 1995, C53573, Blackhill.

RCAHMS, 1991, IN3064TR, Blackhill enclosure.

RCAHMS, 1977, IN/3066, Blackhill.

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.

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Printed: 28/03/2024 19:45