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

  SM1595_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600017303)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a hillfort of later prehistoric date. It also has historical associations with Macbeth although no remains dating to that period can be identified on the hill by field inspection alone.

The monument comprises a strongly defended inner enclosure, measuring some 52m by 25m, within a wall spread to some 9m wide, and displaying evidence of successive reconstructions. A series of outer enclosures defines occupation areas on natural terraces around the flanks of the hill, and encloses a number of hut circles. Further traces of occupation lie beyond these outer enclosures.

This re-scheduling extends the original scheduled area on the S and SE to encompass a hut circle and other areas of likely former occupation previously excluded.

The area now to be scheduled encompasses the visible remains and an area around them in which traces of associated activity may be expected to survive. It is irregular in shape with maximum dimensions of 475m from its NW extremity to its SE and 320m NNE-SSW, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as an Iron Age fort with well preserved field characteristics; despite disturbance in the 18th and 19th centuries, it has the potential to enhance considerably our understanding of the nature and development of Iron Age (and possibly also later) defensive sites. It is also of importance as one of a number of hill forts in this part of Tayside; together with the ample cropmark evidence for settlement in the low ground between Perth and Dundee they offer an opportunity to understand the relationship between lowland settlement and defensive sites in the prehistoric period. Although the connection of the site with Macbeth is based as much on literary as historical tradition, the site has a place in the national consciousness.

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.