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

  SM342_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600003249)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises two standing stones of prehistoric date. It was first scheduled in 1927, but is being rescheduled in order to clarify the extent of the scheduled area.

The monument consists of two upright slabs of stone, at a height of around 250m OD. The first of these is known locally as 'St. Marnan's Chair, a local tradition existing which suggests that St. Marnan preached there in the 7th century AD. This standing stone sits upon the top of a hill within the churchyard of Marnoch Church. It is located approximately 7m from the church building, and is 2.5m in height. The second of the two standing stones is located just outwith the churchyard, to the N of the boundary wall and in the vicinity of a farm steading. It is considerably smaller than the other, measuring c. 1.5m in height. It is possible that both standing stones represent the remains of a stone circle which once stood in the vicinity. Of these two survivors, the larger stone may remain in situ, though it has been suggested that the smaller example may not be in its original location. Standing stones and stone circles date to the late Neolithic or the early Bronze Age, and are associated with ritual activity, in some cases having human remains buried in the ground adjacent to their bases.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related material may be expected to be found. It consists of two circular areas, each measuring 5m in diameter, and centred upon each standing stone.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to an understanding of prehistoric ritual practices. Its importance is further enhanced by the fact that it is located near to other monuments of similar date and function, which together represents the fragments of a prehistoric ritual landscape in the valley of the Deveron.

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.