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

  SM5073_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600010977)

Summary

Description

This monument consists of a fort, a post medieval building and a WWII look-out post on a precipitous coastal promontory. The fort comprises a circular dry-stone structure which is defended further by an outwork cutting across the neck of the promontory on the landward approach to the SW. The circular structure is about 20m in overall diameter and survives as a turf covered bank 4 to 5 m wide and up to 0.7m high. The structure has been truncated on the NW side by erosion of the cliff.

The area enclosed by the bank has a somewhat angular appearance as a consequence of turf cutting. It is possible that the circular fort is the surviving remains of a broch. The outworks consist of a turf-covered stony bank and outer ditch, the former being 1.7m above the base of the ditch. Fronting the ditch is a less significant bank which has been partially removed.

There is a causeway against the edge of the cliff on the NW and traces of a possible bank along the edge of the cliff on the landward side of the outworks to the S of the promontory. The remains of a crude stone-built bothy-like structure are situated on a shelf at a lower level, SE of the fort. A look-out post with chimney has been inserted into the fabric of the circular fort on its E side - this was constructed and used during the 1939-45 war.

The area to be scheduled measures a maximum of 180m SSW-NNE and 80m NW-SE, to include the possible broch, the outworks, the post medieval building and the WWII look-out post. The scheduled area is extended beyond the outworks to the SW to include the external bank and is shown in red on the attached plan.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance for its potential contribution to our understanding of prehistoric fortifications. The fort consists of a possible broch with outworks and incorporates important information on prehistoric warfare and defence. The later building may have been a shepherd's hut or connected with fishing.

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.