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

  SM1424_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600004174)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of a large mound, which contains the remains of a broch, an Iron Age defensive structure. The mound was scheduled in 1950, but an insufficient area was included to protect the full extent of the important archaeological remains. This proposal increases the area to achieve that purpose.

The mound which contains the remains of the Broch of Wasso stands almost 5m high about the surrounding land, which is flat and sandy. Towards the summit of the mound a short stretch of inner wall face and one of outer face can be traced through the turf, suggesting a wall thickness (at a height of about 4m above the likely ground level) of 4.4m. The mound is very substantial, some 60m by 45m, which suggests the presence of other external structures in addition to a central broch tower. If the foundation level of the broch is similar to the surrounding land surface, then it may well survive to over 4m tall, which would make it one of Orkney's better-preserved brochs. There is no record of any excavation, and certainly disturbance in Victorian or more recent times is ruled out by the presence, on the summit of the mound, of a ruinous small structure of relatively recent date.

The area to be scheduled is a circle some 60m in diameter, centred on the top of the mound and just reaching, on the N side, a modern fence line. This includes the whole of the mound and a small area around it in which associated remains may also survive. It is marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as what appears to be an undisturbed broch with surrounding structures, the central broch still standing to a considerable height within the mound. The site has the potential, through excavation and subsequent analysis, to provide important information about mid to late Iron Age defensive and domestic architecture, domestic economy and land use.

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.