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

  SM13631_Legal Docs

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600016193)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a complex of three conjoined roundhouses or hut circles, likely to date to the Iron Age (between 500 BC and AD 500). The monument is located approximately 90m above sea level on rising ground on a southeast facing slope above Langwell Water.

The hut circles form a roughly trefoil grouping; the smallest positioned at the north with one to the northeast and another to the south. Each structure is roughly circular and survives as low stone and turf walls up to 3m wide and 1.25m high. The hut circles measure between 10.5m and 15.5m in diameter. Each hut circle has an entrance approximately 1m wide facing into a small enclosed yard. The yard is to the southeast of the hut circles and is defined by a low stone wall, measuring 4m in length and running between the south and northeast circles, with a break for an entrance. The hut circle to the northeast contains a substantial mound of stones in the centre measuring up to 3.5m in diameter and 1m high. A low wall runs southeast from the northeast hut circle and terminates at a sub-rectangular enclosure measuring 6m by 4.5m. This low wall may be contemporary with the hut circles and the enclosure is possibly of later date. Abutting and possibly cutting the northeast hut circle, on the east side, is a sub-oval enclosure, perhaps of a later date.

The scheduled area is rectangular in shape and includes 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 as an example of a well-preserved prehistoric settlements. It has an inherent potential to make a significant addition to our understanding of the past, in particular the design, construction and use of hut circles in northern Scotland and the Caithness region. There is high potential for well-preserved archaeological remains to survive within and immediately outside the buildings. Unusually for this type of monument, the three hut circles are conjoined with a related connecting yard forming a rare and interesting complex. Its value is enhanced as one of a group of monuments in a remote upland landscape with possibly contemporary defended sites in close proximity. The loss of the monument would significantly diminish our future ability to appreciate and understand late prehistoric domestic buildings in Scotland and the relationship between other sites such as single houses and brochs in the Iron Age.

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.