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

  SM5998_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011893)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a pit circle and associated features of prehistoric date represented by cropmarks visible on oblique aerial photographs.

The monument lies in arable land at around 45m OD on the N bank of the Vinny Water. The pit circle is defined by a series of large pits and has an overall diameter of approximately 10-12m. Two substantial pits are located approximately centrally in the interior and further pits are distributed in and around the circle. On the NW of the

circle there are indications that some individual pits have been replaced on a slightly different arc.

To the W, along the bank of the burn, are a series of less well-defined cropmarks that may represent associated activity including two possible souterrains to the far W of the field. A pit alignment runs broadly N-S across the field to the W of the pit circle: a parallel linear cropmark fades out close to the N of the pit circle. It is possible that these features represent contemporary activity.

The monument is likely to represent the remains of an area of prehistoric ritual activity focussed on a former timber circle. However, the possibility that some or all of the features are instead related to prehistoric settlement cannot be discounted.

The area to be scheduled encompasses the pit circle, the best of the other visible features and an area round them in which traces of associated activity may be expected to survive. It is irregular in shape with maximum dimensions of 155m E-W by 110m 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 prehistoric ritual practice. Its importance is enhanced because of its association with the wider landscape of prehistoric ritual and settlement remains in the Lunan Valley.

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.