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

  SM5738_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011635)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a cursus, or elongated ceremonial enclosure, of Neolithic date represented by a series of cropmarks visible on oblique aerial photographs.

The parallel ditches which form the cursus enclose an area of approximately 220m E-W by 80-90m N-S, and are irregular in width up to a maximum of approximately 4m. An entrance is apparent in the middle of the eastern end. The western terminus of the cursus is not, however, visible and the monument extends under modern housing at the limits of its visibility to the west. No internal features are visible.

The area to be scheduled includes the cursus and an area around it in which traces of activities associated with its construction and use may survive. It is divided into two parts by the modern road (Park Road). The part south of the road is triangular, with a base of 320m east-west by 160m north-south, with the third side formed by Park Road. The part north of the road is irregular in shape with maximum dimensions of 170m NE-SW by 40m NW-SE as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to add to our understanding of prehistoric ritual activity. The ditches may be expected to contain evidence for the construction and use of the monument, and may contain deposits relating to prehistoric ritual practice.

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.