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

  SM11552_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014025)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises two cairns of prehistoric date. They lie approximately 130m apart in gently sloping improved pasture at approximately 245m above sea level.

The E cairn is situated at NH 65701 34470. It is a very pronounced mound in an open landscape setting on a terrace on the lip of a slope, with views across rolling farmland and NE to Loch Bunachton and the hills beyond. The cairn, an irregular sub-oval in plan with some spread, is 13m in diameter and 1.2m in height. The S side of the cairn is flatter in profile. There is clearance rubble on the SW and N sides of the cairn. There are large stones on the top of the mound with more rubble or possible cairn material below.

The W cairn is situated at NH 65538 34478. It is round in shape, measuring 9m in diameter and 0.8m in height. Like the E cairn, it has been supplemented by field clearance and clipped by ploughing.

The area to be scheduled consists of two discrete circular areas on plan, to include the visible remains and an area around in which evidence relating to their construction and use may survive, 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: Despite a degree of erosion and the addition of field clearance stones, this pair of cairns retains important field characteristics that clearly identify them as Bronze Age round cairns, a form of prehistoric burial site. Elements of their retaining outer kerbs can be still be traced. In common with other members of this class of monument, the two cairns are sited in prominent positions and are clearly visible in the landscape. The cairns are likely to preserve archaeological deposits relating to prehistoric burial rites, as well as to seal evidence for the environment in which people built them.

Contextual characteristics: The cairns were an intrinsic part of the Bronze Age landscape and can be compared and contrasted to nearby prehistoric funerary monuments and others outside the region to create an understanding of regional identity and society during this period. The site's location affords extensive views and ensures intervisibility between the cairns and other prehistoric sites, both domestic and funerary, in the valley below.

National Importance: This monument is of national importance because it is a pair of upstanding Bronze Age round cairns with the potential to reveal much about funerary practice in the prehistoric communities of NE Scotland. It has the potential to make a significant contribution to our knowledge of prehistoric society in this locality and, by association, the rest of Scotland. The loss of the monument would affect our future ability to appreciate and understand the prehistoric landscape and its inhabitants.

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.