Scheduled Monument

Four cairns, 570m WSW, 345m SW, 355m SW and 385m SSW of The GlenSM1790

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
20/12/1934
Last Date Amended
12/06/2023
Type
Prehistoric ritual and funerary: burial(s) (not under barrow/cairn); cairn (type uncertain); chambered cairn
Local Authority
Highland
Parish
Farr
NGR
NC 73105 62630
Coordinates
273105, 962630

Description

The monument comprises four prehistoric burial cairns thought to date to the Neolithic period (4100-2500BC). They are visible as roughly circular stone mounds with parts of their interior exposed. The monument is located on improved pasture at around 25m above sea level. 

The western-most cairn measures approximately 11m in diameter. 250m to the east the central pair of cairns measure approximately 16m and 20m in diameter respectively and are linked by a platform of stones. The northern-most of the pair is a chambered cairn that belongs to a group known as Orkney-Cromarty cairns. It has been excavated and part of its internal chambered structure remains visible. 180m to the southeast, the eastern-most cairn measures approximately 27m in diameter. All four cairns survive to between 1.2m and 3.5m in height.

 The scheduled area comprises two circular areas and one rectangular area. The westernmost measures 25m and is centred on national grid reference NC 72857 62618. The easternmost is 40m in diameter centred on national grid reference NC 73220 62480. The central, rectangular area, measures 70m by 40m and is centred on national grid reference NC 73111 62617. The scheduled area 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 continues to meet the criterion of national importance. The four cains represent significant burial and related activities which took place here during the Neolithic period (4100-2500BC). They survive to a marked degree as upstanding field monuments. The northern-most of the central pair of cairns has been archaeologically excavated and much of the structure of the internal chamber  remains visible. A platform of loose stone joins these two cairns, and a perimeter of stone survives around the southern-most of the two cairns. The archaeological investigation has provided evidence for the high archaeological potential of these cairns, which can inform us of the nature of the burial activities that took place here and the character of the environment at the time they were constructed and in use. The grouping of four cairns in relatively close proximity can give us insights into the Neolithic landscape and the placing of such sites in the landscape, adding to the importance of this monument.

References

Bibliography

Close-Brooks J, 1995, The Highlands, Exploring Scotland's Heritage series, ed. by Anna Ritchie. Edinburgh

Henshall A S, 1963, The chambered tombs of Scotland, vol. 1. Edinburgh.

Henshall A S, 1972, The chambered tombs of Scotland, vol. 2. Edinburgh.

Kerr C, 1892, Notice of the excavation of a chambered cairn in the Parish of Farr, Sutherlandshire in, Proc Soc Antiq Scot, vol. 26, 1891-2. 65-7

Mercer R J, 1981, Archaeological field survey in northern Scotland: volume II, 1980-81, University of Edinburgh, Department of Archaeology, Occasional Paper No. 7. Edinburgh

Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, 1911, Second report and inventory of monuments and constructions in the county of Sutherland. Edinburgh.

HER/SMR Reference

  • MHG10925
  • MHG10932
  • MHG10933
  • MHG44885

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.

Images

Four cairns, 570m WSW, 345m SW, 355m SW and 385m SSW of The Glen, looking east southeast (Eastmost cairn) on clear day with blue sky.
Four cairns, 570m WSW, 345m SW, 355m SW and 385m SSW of The Glen, looking east southeast (central cairns) on clear day with blue sky.

Printed: 19/03/2024 11:22