Scheduled Monument
Carn Liath, cairn, ShurrerySM437
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
- 03/12/1938
- Last Date Amended
- 26/07/2001
- Type
- Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain)
- Local Authority
- Highland
- Parish
- Reay
- NGR
- ND 03907 58215
- Coordinates
- 303907, 958215
Description
The monument comprises a prehistoric burial cairn immediately adjacent to the Forss Water. It was scheduled in 1938, but the area scheduled at that time barely covers the cairn and takes no account of the area around it, where the cairn and associated structures may extend below the ground surface. This extension enlarges the protected area to include the cairn and the area of archaeological importance around it.
The cairn is substantial, measuring about 32m by 18m and standing up to 2m tall. There is no sign of an inner chamber, and it is possible that the cairn's interior has not been disturbed since ancient times. On the visible evidence, it is impossible to determine which sub-class of cairns it belongs to, but its size suggests it is a chambered tomb of Neolithic date.
The area now to be scheduled is a circle 50m in diameter centred on the mid-point of the cairn, but excluding that portion of the circle occupied by the Forss Water. This area includes the cairn and an area around it, in which the cairn and associated remains are likely to extend below ground level.
Statement of National Importance
The monument is of national importance as a very substantial prehistoric burial mound which has no obvious sign of serious disturbance and may preserve its interior structures and deposits intact. It has great potential to provide information relating to prehistoric ritual and funerary practice and architecture.
References
Bibliography
No Bibliography entries for this designation
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.