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

  SM13617_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600015824)

Summary

Description

The monument is a late 19th century fish farm, visible as the earthwork remains of three groups of artificial ponds with feeder and collector lades, set around 220m and 470m apart along the Allt Coire Aghaisgeig, along with the footings of a rectangular building. The monument is located on the hillside on the western side of Strath Brora, between about 30m and 100m above sea level.

The fish farm was built before 1878 and in use between 1878 and 1921. The first group of ponds comprise three straight parallel ponds measuring around three metres in width, 55m in length and about 0.8m in depth. A fourth pond, which is less well defined and at least five metres wide, lies to the northeast. The remains of at least one sluice are visible. The second group of ponds lie around 220m downstream to the northeast and comprise a half hexagon arrangement of narrow ponds, together with a bypass lade. At least three parallel ponds around three metres in width are visible to the south and two ponds about five metres wide lie to the north. Edge set slabs, probably for controlling the flow of water, are visible at the outflow. The third set of ponds lie a further 470m downstream, close to the shore of Loch Brora, and comprise two parallel ponds around 25m long and five metres wide. The footings of a rectangular building lie about 55m west-southwest.

The scheduled area is in four parts, one of which is rectangular in plan and the others irregular, to include the remains described above and an area around them within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to contribute to our understanding of the establishment and growth of fish farming in Sutherland and Scotland during the late 19th century and early 20th century. It is a good example of an early fish farm that retains its field characteristics. As a well preserved example it can significantly expand our understanding of fish farming, its operation and development within the economy of Scotland. As many of the techniques of artificial fish propagation were first developed in game hatcheries in Scotland, it can enhance our understanding of the role of game hatcheries in the development of modern aquaculture and the fish farming industry in Scotland and more widely. It is notable for the survival of a range of features, including sluices and lades. The loss or damage of this monument would diminish our ability to understand the development and operation of fish farming in Sutherland and across Scotland during the late 19th century and early 20th century, as well as the place of game hatcheries in the development of modern aquaculture.

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.