Scheduled Monument

Lochbuie House, stone circle and standing stones, MullSM2404

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
17/11/1964
Last Date Amended
04/02/2003
Type
Prehistoric ritual and funerary: standing stone; standing stone; stone circle or ring
Local Authority
Argyll And Bute
Parish
Torosay
NGR
NM 61773 25112
Coordinates
161773, 725112

Description

The monuments comprise a stone circle and two other standing stones, all of prehistoric date and visible as a series of upstanding stones. The stone circle and one of the standing stones were first scheduled in 1964, but an inadequate area was included to protect all of the archaeological remains: the present re-scheduling rectifies this.

The stone circle is situated on level pasture at the head of Loch Buie at approximately 10m OD. The two other standing stones lie some 40m SW of and 115m WSW of the stone circle respectively, but within the same present parcel of land.

The stone circle originally consisted of nine stones. One of these is now missing and its position has been marked in recent times by a small boulder. The circle measures approximately 12.3m in diameter and is composed for the most part of granite slabs, which have been positioned with their flatter faces set towards the inside of the circle. The tallest stone stands about 2m high and measures c.0.85m by 0.3m at its base. An outlying standing stone, situated 4.6m SE of the circle, comprises a pointed granite block standing 0.85m high and measuring c.0.6m by 0.3m at its base.

The single standing stone situated about 40m SW of the stone circle stands about 3m high and measures c.0.85m by 0.3m at its base, tapering to a fairly narrow top. The standing stone situated about 115m WSW of the stone circle comprises a comparatively flat-sided monolith, aligned NE and SW. This stands about 2.15m high, although the top has been broken off in antiquity, and measures c.0.75m by 0.7m at its base.

Stone settings of this type are characteristic of the Neolithic period and normally date to the third millennium BC.

Three separate areas are proposed for scheduling, as marked in red on the accompanying map. These include the remains described and an area around them within which related material may be expected to survive. The three areas are as follows:

1. The largest area is sub-circular in shape, centred on the stone circle and the outlying standing stone closest to the stone circle, and has maximum dimensions of 38m NW-SE by 33m transversely. Its NW limit is defined by, but excludes, the field boundary.

2. The second area is centred on the standing stone situated about 40 SW of the stone circle and is circular in shape, measuring 10m in diameter.

3. The third area is centred on the standing stone situated about 115m WSW of the stone circle and comprises a truncated circle, with a maximum diameter of 10m. It is defined to the NW by the field boundary, which is itself excluded from the scheduling.

Statement of National Importance

The monuments are of national importance because of their potential to contribute to an understanding of prehistoric ritual practices. Their importance is increased by their group value and by their proximity to other monuments of potentially contemporary date.

References

Bibliography

RCAHMS record the site as NM62NW 1 (stone circle) and NM62NW 2 (standing stone) and NM62NW 5 (standing stone).

Photographs consulted:

RCAHMS 1972 Ref: 5159

RCAHMS 1972 Ref: 5162

References:

Heggie, D. C. (1981), Megalithic Science: ancient mathematics and astronomy in north-west europe, London, 116-7, 54.

RCAHMS (1980), Argyll: An inventory of the monuments, Volume 3: Mull, Tiree, Coll and Northern Argyll (Excluding the early Medieval and later monuments of Iona), Edinburgh, 69-70, No. 110.

Ritchie, J. N. G. and Harman, M. (1985), Exploring Scotland's Heritage: Argyll and the Western Isles, Exploring Scotland's Heritage Series, Edinburgh 144, No. 79.

Scott, J. G. (1991), 'The stone circles at Temple Wood, Kilmartin, Argyll', Glasgow Archaeol J, 15, 1988-89, 79.

Thom, A. (1967), Megalithic Sites in Britain, Oxford, 100, 119, 139, No. M2/14.

Thom, A. and Thom, A. S. (1978), Megalithic Remains in Britain and Brittany, Oxford, 23, No. M2/14.

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.

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Printed: 29/03/2024 14:36