Scheduled Monument

Cairn Liath,long cairn and round cairnSM438

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
23/10/1934
Last Date Amended
11/01/1993
Type
Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain); long cairn
Local Authority
Highland
Parish
Latheron
NGR
ND 14028 32077
Coordinates
314028, 932077

Description

The monument consists of 2 prehistoric chambered cairns. The larger is a long cairn known as 'Cairn Liath'. This cairn is orientated WSW-ENE and is wider and higher at the latter end. It measures 58m long and is 18.3m wide to the ENE and 11.3 to the WSW. At its ENE end the cairn is about 1.5m high and there are faint traces of horn-like projections. There are also horn-like projections at its WSW end. There are traces of one chamber in the ENE end and three further chambers along the length of the cairn. About 30m NW of the long cairn are the remains of a circular cairn about 13.4m in diameter. Much of the cairn has been robbed, but three large upright stones in the centre indicate the presence of a chamber.

The area proposed for scheduling measures a maximum of 90m NW-SE by 80m SW-NE to include the long cairn, the round cairn and an area around in which traces of activities associated with the construction and use of the cairns will survive.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance for its potential to contribute to an understanding of Neolithic/Bronze Age ritual and burial practices. The association of a circular and long cairn is important in the understanding of sequential development of cairn types in Scotland. There are indications that the chambers of the long cairn have not been robbed and it is probable that the burial deposits are complete.

References

Bibliography

The monument is RCAHMS number ND 13 SW 7 and 8.

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: 28/03/2024 13:41