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

  SM32_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600002990)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a recumbent stone circle 17.3m in diameter. There are 8 stones still standing, including the recumbent stone, which measures 1.2m wide by 4.5m long. The flanking stones both measure 2.5m in height. The circle sits in the graveyard of Midmar Church, and any visible evidence for a ring cairn has been removed, probably during the development of the graveyard in the early 20th century.

A single standing stone is situated in a strip of woodland about 110m NW of Midmar Church. It is a pink granite pillar measuring 0.55m in breadth by 0.5m an stands 2.6m high.

This monument was scheduled in 1925, and again in 1970. The monument is being rescheduled to extend the area to include the single standing stone.

Two discrete areas are to be scheduled. The first, around the stone circle is circular, and measures 21m in diameter, centred on the circle, to include the remains of the stone circle and an area around in which traces of activities associated with its construction and use may survive. The second is a circle 10m in diameter centred on the standing stone, to include the stone and an area around in which traces of activities associated with its erection and use may survive.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as the remains of a recumbent stone circle, a group of monuments unique to the north-east of Scotland. Although this monument has suffered some damage through the construction of the adjacent graveyard, it is substantially intact, and survives in good condition. The monument also comprises an adjacent standing stone, which is likely to be associated with the original function of the circle. It has the potential to provide important information about prehistoric ritual activity in this area.

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.