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

  SM288_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600003209)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the site of an early Christian settlement on the headland called Rubha na Fidhle, on the NW shore of Loch Awe.

The remains include turf covered mounds showing the lines of several walls, both of discrete buildings (believed to include a small chapel) and of boundary walls across the promontory. Until fairly recently there were two cross slabs on the site, but these are now housed in the nearby Kilmaha Church. On a rock outcrop towards the SW end of the promontory there is a "Maltese"-type cross flanked by two figures.

The area to be scheduled includes the entire promontory and 10m of the loch bed out from the shore on all sides. On the landward side the area is defined by a line running due SE from the head of the inlet which lies to the NW of the promontory. The area measures approximately 110m SW-NE by 70m and is marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

This monument is of national importance because it is one of the earliest Christian sites in mainland Argyll. It may be the site of the small community founded from Iona on Loch Awe in the late sixth century. Although the upstanding remains are at present indistinct the site still has the archaeological potential to provided much information about the construction and use of early Christian settlements.

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.