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

  SM5736_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011633)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of an inland promontory fort represented by cropmarks visible on oblique aerial photographs.

The fort occupies a promontory formed by the Keith Water and one of its tributaries. It is formed by two broad, linear ditches which seal off the approach to the site. The ditches appear to be 4-5m in width and have a visible length of approximately 100m, extending under planted woodland at both ends. No breaks are visible in these ditches. A possible third, outer ditch is represented by a fainter cropmark beyond the better-defined defences. Within the fort is a distinct section of curving ditch, possibly the remains of a souterrain, running approximately NW-SE for a distance of approximately 25m. No other internal features are detectable.

The area to be scheduled encompasses the defences and interior of the fort, excluding areas of recent tree-planting, together with an area around the visible features in which traces of associated activity may be expected to survive. The area is irregular in shape with maximum dimensions of 320m NE-SW by 170m, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to our understanding of prehistoric defensive settlement. The ditches may be expected to contain evidence of the fort's date and method of construction as well as material relating to the economy and environment of the site. The likely presence of internal features, possibly including a souterrain, suggests that the site may provide evidence relating to prehistoric domestic occupation and the storage and processing of agricultural produce.

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.