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

  SM6154_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600012046)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of a prehistoric crannog situated near the head of Loch Arkaig which has been used as the site for a medieval and post-medieval chapel and burial ground.

The W end of the island is solid rock but the S side has been enlarged with rubble. Around the edges of the crannog are traces of vitrified material which may indicate that the crannog was burnt at one stage, or that it had a stone wall around its edge which has subsequently been destroyed by fire. The remains of St Columba's chapel stand at the N edge of the island on the highest point. The chapel is orientated E-W and measures 11m by 4.9m within a wall of mortared rubble masonry 0.8m thick. The E and W walls have largely collapsed and the maximum surviving height of the masonry is about 1.8m. There are remains of a doorway at the W end of the S wall and a window to the E of this door. Traces of a wall defining a graveyard were recorded in 1961, but these have been covered by vegetation. There are several grave slabs within the chapel. The date of construction of the chapel is uncertain, but it was in use in the seventeenth century.

The area to be scheduled is irregular and measures 80m N-S by 70m E-W, to include the crannog, chapel and burial ground, and an area of the loch bed around them, in which evidence relating to their construction and use may survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance for its potential to contribute to an understanding of the construction of prehistoric crannogs and the domestic life of their occupants. Waterlogged crannogs preserve important information for the environment, economy and material culture of their occupants. The chapel and burial ground have the potential to contribute to an understanding of the architecture of medieval and later religious buildings and the religious practices of those who worshipped on the island.

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.