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

  SM4712_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600010621)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a prehistoric settlement and associated field system and at least one kerb cairn. It was first scheduled in 1989, but an insufficient area was scheduled to cover all visible archaeological remains; the present scheduling rectifies this.

The settlement comprises 13 round houses varying in diameter from 6 m to 12 m between the centres of collapsed walls spread from 2 m to 2.5 m wide. The field system comprises stone clearance heaps, lynchets, and infrequent ruined field walls which form cultivation plots averaging 30 by 20 m. Several hollow-ways cut through the field system, but these are almost certainly later.

The kerb cairn is located at the edge of the field system. It is turf covered, measuring 12 m in diameter and 1.5 m in height. There are nine visible kerbstones in situ. A possible second cairn lies within the field system. It is heather covered, and measures 10 m from E-W by 8.5m transversely.

The area to be scheduled is irregular in plan, to include the remains described above and an area around in which evidence relating to their construction and use may survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduling excludes the above-ground portions of all modern field boundaries, to allow for their maintenance.

Statement of National Importance

Cultural Significance

The monument's archaeological significance can be expressed as follows:

Intrinsic characteristics: The monument consists of a number of prehistoric features which are not all contemporary. Notably, a prehistoric kerbed cairn, with a possible second cairn located close by, and a well-preserved example of a later prehistoric settlement. There is a strong likelihood that the characteristic structural features of the kerbed cairn, that define this class of monument, and the internal and external archaeological deposits associated with this particular monument have not been disturbed. The survival of some of the kerbstones would appear to confirm this.

We see later use of the area in the remains of the later prehistoric settlement. Despite recent regeneration of forestry over part of the area, it is likely that further archaeological deposits survive within and outside the structures, including environmental and other evidence of associated farming techniques and practices. It therefore has the potential to reveal information about local variations in domestic architecture and building use as well as prehistoric landuse.

The inter-relationship of the various elements of the monument and the concentration of features in this relict prehistoric landscape is likely to reveal information about the change in use of the landscape during prehistoric times.

Contextual characteristics: Most surviving examples of such sites are individual features or small groupings of hut circles. In contrast, this monument comprises a range of different features. The monument is a good example of a once common class and has the potential to provide a better understanding of the structure of later prehistoric society.

The presence of the earlier kerbed cairn adds to the monument's contextual characteristics. Archaeologists have identified few burial mounds in this region in similar contexts, close by settlements and agricultural activity. The cairn therefore has the potential to contribute to future studies of the inter-relationship between pre-existing burial monuments and agricultural use of later prehistoric societies.

National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it is a rare example of a well-preserved complex prehistoric relict landscape that encompasses both domestic and ritual aspects of past lives. The loss of this monument would diminish our capacity to understand the changes in landuse and perception of landscape during later prehistoric times.

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.