Scheduled Monument

Heilam, hut circle 450m ENE ofSM3854

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
23/07/1976
Last Date Amended
08/03/2004
Type
Prehistoric domestic and defensive: hut circle, roundhouse
Local Authority
Highland
Parish
Durness
NGR
NC 45900 60360
Coordinates
245900, 960360

Description

The monument comprises a stone hut, probably of later prehistoric date, situated at c37m OD in heather moorland. The site was originally scheduled in July 1976, but an inadequate area was included to protect all of the archaeological remains: the current scheduling resolves this.

The monument is of the type normally referred to as a hut circle. It consists of a stone bank enclosing an area 10.3m in diameter, 0.3m high and up to 1.4m wide. The entrance is to the NE, around 1.5m wide, featuring the slight remains of an out-turned bank on the southern side.

The area now to be scheduled is circular on plan, approximately 35m in diameter. This scheduling includes the features described above, as well as an area within which evidence for the construction and use of the site is likely to survive, as marked on the accompanying map extract in red.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to our understanding of highland prehistoric settlement and economy. Its importance is increased by its proximity to a number of other potentially contemporary monuments. Together they provide the opportunity for the history of the landscape to be explored.

References

Bibliography

The monument is referred to as one of two hut circles (hut circle A) by RCAHMS as NC46SE 3.

References:

RCAHMS 1911, SECOND REPORT AND INVENTORY OF THE MONUMENTS AND CONSTRUCTIONS IN THE COUNTY OF SUTHERLAND, Edinburgh, 55. No. 161.

Sabine K 1980, 'Durness, hut circles', DISCOVERY EXCAV SCOT 19.

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.

Images

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Printed: 24/04/2024 19:57