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

  SM2182_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600008445)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a fort of later prehistoric date situated on a knoll approximately 400m SW of the summit of Dumyat Hill. The original scheduling of the monument failed to cover all of the archaeological features.

The fort occupies a strong defensive position with steep slopes to the N, S and E, and an extensive view over the Forth Valley to the S. It is made up of two main elements which may represent different phases of use; a double wall protecting the knoll from the only easy approach to the W, and an oval enclosure occupying the highest point of the site. The double wall is ruinous, spread to an average width of 5.5m, and has no surviving trace of facing stones or other structural elements, although evidence of vitrifaction has been reported. It follows the natural topography of the hill, forming a rough semi-circle on the western side of the site with a single entrance, c.5m wide, in the WNW. Attached to the outer faces of the wall are two enclosures with less substantial walling, one on either side of the entrance. The oval enclosure at the summit of the knoll measures 28m by 17m over massive rubble walls which have spread to an average width of 5m. There are no obvious structural features visible, but the size and shape of the enclosure imply that it is a dun, built within the remains of the earlier fort. The cairn overlying the walls of the enclosure is modern.

The area to be scheduled is approximately oval and measures 95m N-S by 150m E-W, to include the fort and an area around in which remains associated with its construction and use may survive, as shown in red on the attached map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to our understanding of prehistoric defensive architecture and social and economic organisation.

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.