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

  SM1827_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600002899)

Summary

Description

The monument consist of the remains of roundhouses (hut circles) and elements of an associated field system, probably dating to the Bronze Age (between 2500 and 800 BC). It is visible as the heather covered upstanding remains of four, possibly five, roundhouses, a scattering of cairns, and the remains of field banks. The monument lies around 160m above sea level, in a prominent position on a low hill with views in all directions.

Four roundhouses can be clearly identified, and a possible fifth may be located to the northwest. These measure between 8m and 13m in diameter within stony banks up to 0.6m in height and 3m in width. Two have been terraced into the slope. The terminals of two of the roundhouses have been expanded and a secondary roundhouse inserted into the interior of one. There is a scatter of small cairns, measuring up to 5m in diameter and 0.5m in height, within which the fragmentary remains of field banks are visible.

The scheduled area is irregular on plan, to include the remains described above and an area around within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive as shown in red on the accompanying map. The monument was first scheduled in 1935, but the documentation does not meet current standards: the present amendment rectifies this.

Statement of National Importance

This monument is of national importance because it can make a significant addition to our understanding of the past, in particular of Bronze Age society and agriculture in north Scotland. It is a good example of a later prehistoric settlement and field system that retains its field characteristics and demonstrates a range of different house forms. As a well-preserved example it can significantly expand understanding of prehistoric domestic buildings, agriculture and economy. The monument's importance is enhanced by its association with the wider landscape of later prehistoric settlement. The loss or damage of the monument would diminish our ability to appreciate and understand the character of Bronze Age settlements, as well as society and economy during this period.

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.