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

  SM5186_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011090)

Summary

Description

The monument is a prehistoric settlement consisting of a number of hut circles on a natural shelf above the E bank of the Burn of Houstry. Hut circle 'A' (ND15593215) measures 7m in diameter internally and has an entrance to the S. The wall, where best preserved, is 2m wide and 0.3m high. Hut 'B' (ND15633211) has bare stone walls and a profusion of stony debris in the interior and this probably indicates that the hut had substantial stone walls. This hut is about 7.5m in diameter internally and has a S entrance.

To the W of the entrance, the wall of the hut expands to 3m in width and it is possible that this represents a well preserved souterrain running outside the wall of the house on its SW and W side. Hut 'C' (ND1563208) measures 8.5m NNW-SSE by 6.5m transversely with heather covered walls 2m wide and 0.2m high. The entrance is in the SSE. A cross wall in the interior of this hut may indicate a secondary hut

5.5m in diameter, with an entrance in common with the larger hut. 22m to the N of hut 'A' is a small circular enclosure or hut circle.

The area to be scheduled measures 170m NW-SE by 45m NE-SW, to include the hut circles, enclosure and an area around in which traces of activities associated with the construction and use of the hut circles may survive. The scheduled area extends 20m beyond the edge of the archaeological structures except to the N of hut 'A', where the area extends to the break of slope (12m to the SW of the hut)

and is shown in red on the attached map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a well preserved prehistoric settlement which has the potential to considerably increase our understanding of the domestic life and farming practices of its inhabitants. The association of a possible souterrain with one of the hut circles is of particular importance. The hut circles vary in form and contain evidence for the architecture of Iron Age domestic dwellings.

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.