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

  SM6020_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011913)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a series of four enclosures, two pit alignments and a series of associated, less regular features visible as cropmarks on oblique aerial photographs.

The easternmost enclosure measures approximately 40m in diameter and is formed by a narrow annular ditch. A dark circular cropmark inside the enclosure may represent the remains of a house floor, as may a series of other such features external to the enclosure to its N and E. A double pit alignment runs approximately N-S past the enclosure some 20m to the west. This alignment is visible for a length of approximately 350m.

To the E of the first enclosure lies a second, circular enclosure defined by two concentric palisades with a possible circular internal structure. The external diameter of this enclosure is approximately 80m. SE of this lies a third enclosure defined by an open-sided rectilinear ditch approximately 30m E-W by 50m N-S and open to the N. The W side of this enclosure appears to overlie or form part of a pit alignment following an irregular N-S course.

A fourth enclosure lies further to the SE formed by a semi-circular ditch enclosing an area above the banks of the River Esk. The maximum dimension of this enclosure is approximately 80m NE-SW. Inside the enclosure is a large rectilinear ditched feature similar in size and appearance to the third enclosure.

The area to be scheduled encompasses all of these features together with an area around them in which traces of associated activity may be expected to survive. It comprises two areas of irregular shape. The larger, southern, area measures 600m N-S by 780m. The smaller, northern, area, measures a maximum of 400m ENE-WSW by 150m. The areas are 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 knowledge of prehistoric settlement, economy and environment. The association of well-defined enclosures and field systems has the potential to provide evidence for the development of land management regimes during the prehistoric 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.