Scheduled Monument

Rubha Mor, cairn, North BallachulishSM3289

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
20/07/1973
Last Date Amended
07/06/2004
Supplementary Information Updated
20/12/2018
Type
Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain)
Local Authority
Highland
Parish
Ardgour
NGR
NN 05144 60070
Coordinates
205144, 760070

Description

The monument comprises a large oval pile of stones located in grazed grassland at 10m OD, 110m N of Loch Linnhe. It is partly covered by turf and has a number of mature trees growing around the edges. The monument was first scheduled in 1973 but an inadequate area was included to protect all the archaeological remains: the present scheduling rectifies this.

The monument is oval on plan measuring c24m NW-SE by c20m transversely, and c2m in height. It is built of bare stones and boulders with no kerb or internal features visible, although its full extent is greatly confused by plough damage and vegetation cover. There are four notable depressions in the monument, varying from 2-8m in diameter, and some stones would seem to have been added to the cairn as part of field clearances. A field boundary is built across the northern part of the cairn running E-W.

The area to be scheduled is a rectangle 45m N-S by 35m transversely. This area includes the remains discussed and an area within which evidence for the construction and use of the monument is likely to survive, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as the remains of a substantial prehistoric cairn. Although in superficially poor condition it has the potential to provide important information on the ritual practices of the period. Its importance is increased by its close proximity to a number of contemporary monuments and findspots.

References

Bibliography

The cairn is recorded by RCAHMS as NN06SE 7.

References:

Christison D 1891, 'Excavation of the fort 'Suidhe Chennaidh', Loch Awe: and description of some Argyleshire cairns', PROC SOC ANTIQ SCOT 25, 130.

Christison D 1881, 'On ancient wooden image, found in November last at Ballachulish Peat-Moss', PROC SOC ANTIQ SCOT 15, 161.

Stewart J 1888, 'The Ballachulish goddess' TRANS INVERNESS SCI SOC FLD CLUB Vol. 2, 25.

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 09:03