Scheduled Monument

Pityoulish, barrow cemetery 465m WSW of West CroftmoreSM13633

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
15/02/2016
Type
Prehistoric ritual and funerary: barrow
Local Authority
Highland
Parish
Abernethy And Kincardine
NGR
NH 93166 15283
Coordinates
293166, 815283

Description

The monument is a group of related burial mounds, collectively known as a barrow cemetery, and probably dating to the second half of the first millennium AD. The monument is located in Strathspey, on a low ridge 170m south of the River Spey and lies at 210m above sea level.

The cemetery comprises at least four ditched barrows constructed of a mixture of earth and stone. Three barrows are sub-circular, ranging from 6.75 m to 8.5 m in diameter, and standing up to 0.5 m in height. One barrow is roughly square, measuring 9.1 m in length by 9.3 m transversely and approximately 0.5 m in height. Each barrow has the remains of an enclosing ditch, up to 0.3 m in depth. The ditch around the square mound is broken by a causeway at each corner. At least one of the sub-circular barrow ditches is also interrupted by a causeway. The sub-circular barrows contain a stone protruding from the mound. An additional sub-circular barrow, located at the extreme south of the group, was excavated in the mid-20th century.

The area to be scheduled is an irregular polygon, to include the remains described above and an area in which evidence for their construction and use is expected to survive, as shown in red on the attached map. The scheduling excludes the post-and-wire fence.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it is a rare and distinctive example of a barrow cemetery of the first millennium AD. It is a very well preserved site with upstanding remains and features such as causeways and stone markers. Previous excavation has demonstrated good preservation of archaeological deposits and features. It has the potential to inform research into the development of barrow cemeteries and burial practices of the time. This monument can also help inform our understanding of contemporary society and their political entities within the Early Historic period and about the process of conversion to Christianity. Due to the rarity of similar sites and the very good state of preservation of this example, its loss would significantly detract from our ability to understand these forms of monument and interpret the society that buried their dead in them, both in this locality and throughout Scotland.

References

Bibliography

Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland: http://www.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore.html CANMORE ID 15389.

Highland Council Historic Environment Record reference: MHG4583.

Close-Brookes, J (1984) 'Pictish and other burials', BAR, vol. 125, 1984. Pages: 87-114.

Grime, D and Maclagan Wedderburn, L (1984) 'The cairn cemetery at Garbeg, Drumnadrochit, BAR, vol. 125, 1984. Pages 151-168.

Morris, C and Pearson, N (1984) 'Burials in Birsay, Orkney', BAR, vol. 125, 1984. Pages 135-144.

Rae, A and Rae, V (1955) 'A bowl barrow at Pityoulish, in Strathspey', Proc Soc Antiq Scot, vol. 87, 1955. Pages: 153-60.

HER/SMR Reference

  • http://her.highland.gov.uk/SingleResult.aspx?uid=MHG4583

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: 29/03/2024 15:24