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

  SM506_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600003405)

Summary

Description

The monument, comprising a minimum of 6 roughly parallel rows of stones, is a ritual monument of the Neolithic or Bronze Age. The exact function of such sites is uncertain, but they were often constructed with reference to astronomical, or geographical, features visible from the monument. The stone rows were originally scheduled in 1934, but a larger area than necessary was defined for their protection; the current scheduling rectifies this.

The stone rows lie at approximately 90m OD, at the NE end of the Loch of Yarrows. Unlike most of the other prehistoric ritual sites in the area, the rows are unobtrusive in the landscape. The individual stones stand less than 0.5m high, by about 0.1m wide and are 0.3-0.5m long. They are aligned N-S in 8 parallel rows approximately 2m apart, with a gap of about 0.5m or less between each stone in a row. Only 6 of the rows are substantially intact with the other 2 now represented by only a few stones. The rows run for approximately 50m, with the S end truncated by a modern fence and drainage ditch.

The area to be scheduled is a rectangle measuring 60m N-S by 30m, to include the stone rows and an area around and between them where remains associated with their construction and use may be expected to survive. The above ground elements of the modern fence running through the southern end of the monument are specifically excluded from the scheduling.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a well-preserved example of a locally common, but nationally rare, form of prehistoric site. It has the potential, through excavation and analysis, to enhance our knowledge of prehistoric ritual practices. The relationship between this monument and the other prehistoric ritual sites clustered around the Loch further enhances its importance.

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.