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

  Legal Documents for Backies,broch (SM1835)

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600001732)

Summary

Description

The monument is a broch, a complex stone-built substantial roundhouse, dating from the Iron Age (between 600 BC and AD 400). It is visible as a large mound of stones set on a prominent knoll. The interior of the broch has been partly cleared of rubble and large areas of inner wall face are visible, incorporating openings leading to the entrance, intra-mural stair and a gallery. Beyond the broch tower are remains of an outer bank or wall, with parts of a further bank or wall beyond to the north-northwest and east-southeast. The monument occupies a knoll on a southwest facing slope overlooking the valley of the Golspie Burn standing 180m above sea level. 

The broch tower has an external diameter of about 18.25m. The interior measures 8.24m in diameter and the wall is about 5m thick at the entrance on the W. Most of the entrance lintels remains in position and there are door checks about 3m in from the exterior.  Opposite the entrance on the east side is the doorway to a mural cell or gallery. Another opening on the north side leads to an intramural stair that was visible in the early 20th century. Part of a gallery is also exposed on top of the broch wall. The interior wallface extends about 2.6m above the present floor level, the wall being built of flat stone slabs. The outer wallface is mostly obscured except at the opening of the entrance passage. There are traces of outbuildings between the broch tower and the outer wall which is about 12m distant.

The scheduled area is circular on plan with a diameter of 100m, centred on the broch, to include 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. The scheduling specifically excludes the above ground elements of post and wire fences. The monument was first scheduled in 1939, 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 Iron Age society in northern Scotland and the construction, use and development of brochs. It stands to just above the level of the first floor and preserves evidence for an intra-mural stair, galleries and other architectural features. The monument is an important component of the area's landscape and its importance is enhanced by its association with several other well-preserved brochs around Golspie and Brora. Sketches, notebooks and drawings deriving from the 1846 excavations enhance understanding of the form of the broch. This is a well-preserved example of a broch and its loss would diminish our ability to understand the development and use of brochs and their role in the Iron Age settlement pattern of northern Scotland.

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.