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

  SM5764_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011661)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of two forts of prehistoric date represented by cropmarks visible on oblique aerial photographs.

The forts occupy the crest of Doon Hill lying at a height of up to 177m OD. The NW-facing slopes are very steep and the forts command extensive views to the N and W across the Lothian coastal plain. The slopes to the S and E are less steep and it is on this side that the defences of the forts are most clearly visible. The E fort is defined by at least 5 narrow ditches or palisades, none of which can be traced for the complete circuit. It is oval in shape with maximum dimensions of approximately 150m NW-SE by 100m.

It is not clear if the defences continued around the steep, NW-facing side. Immediately to the W of this fort and slightly lower-lying are the remains of a multivallate oval fort measuring some 180m E-W by 100m. This is defined by three concentric ditches which appear to form a complete circuit. There are indications of a possible oval palisaded enclosure occupying the W end of the interior.

The forts lie within 200m of the important Anglian and earlier enclosure on the E flanks of Doon Hill, and in an area rich in remains of the later prehistoric period. The area to be scheduled encompasses the visible features and an area around them in which traces of associated activity may be expected to survive. It is irregular in shape with maximum dimensions of 360m NE-SW by 180m as marked 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 high status settlement in the prehistoric period. The association of the forts with the excavated Anglian settlement on Doon Hill and other settlements in the vicinity greatly enhances their potential importance in providing evidence for the long-term development of high-status settlement in southern Scotland from the Iron Age to the Early Medieval period.

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.