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

  SM4299_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600010231)

Summary

Description

The monument is a standing stone, a ritual or ceremonial monument, dating probably to the late Neolithic or Bronze Age (the late third or second millennium BC). The stone is a massive sandstone block standing approximately 4.5m high, 2.1m wide and 0.5m thick, with extensive weathering. The stone is aligned roughly E-W. A bisected or double circular enclosure measuring around 10.6m in diameter lies immediately NE of the standing stone. The monument is situated almost in the centre of Eday, on high ground at about 25m above sea level, overlooking the Bay of Carrick and Calf Sound, with wide seaward views to the NE towards the Calf of Eday. The monument was first scheduled in 1936, but the documentation did not meet modern standards: the present amendment rectifies this.

The scheduled area is rectangular on plan, measuring 40m NE-SW by 30m transversely, to include the remains described above and an area around them within which evidence relating to the monument's use and re-use is likely to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduled area extends up to, but does not include, the post-and-wire fence to the SW of the standing stone.

Statement of National Importance

This monument is of national importance because it is a well-preserved and very impressive example of an individual standing stone, the tallest in Orkney apart from the Stones of Stenness, and a famous landmark. Though weathered, it is in generally good condition and still stands in its original socket. By analogy with excavations at other standing stones (such as Carlinwell in Angus), there is high potential for the survival of human remains and other important archaeological evidence beneath and around the Stone of Setter. These can inform our understanding of the dating, method of erection, how the stone was used and the nature of the environment at the time it was erected. Overall, the Stone of Setter has high potential to enhance our understanding of social and ceremonial activities in prehistoric times, and the beliefs of the people that built and used these sites. This standing stone, located in such a prominent position, also has the potential to inform our knowledge about the value attributed to such monuments in later times, perhaps showing some continuity of function in marking a route-way or territory. Its significance is enhanced by its close proximity to a number of other important prehistoric monuments in the wider landscape of Eday, including several chambered tombs, and by its possible association with the adjacent enclosure. The loss of this monument would impede our ability to understand the nature of prehistoric belief and ritual, both in Orkney and further afield, and the placing and function of such monuments within the landscape.

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.