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

  SM6224_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600012115)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of an approximately circular enclosure with the remains of dry-stone structures within, interpreted as being the remains of an Early Christian monastic site, possibly dating from the 7th century.

The enclosure measures 39m N-S by 32m E-W. The enclosure wall averages 1.8m in thickness and is of drystone construction; it is broken by an entrance at the S, the details of which are obscured by debris.

Within the enclosure are the remains of 3 freestanding structures and of 4 others built against the outer wall.

The largest of these, near the centre of the enclosure, measures 4.9m in diameter within a wall averaging 1.3m in thickness and surviving to a maximum height of 1.4m.

It is entered from the W through a sub-circular structure of lighter, and possibly secondary, construction. Lying to the E is another, much ruined, circular structure approximately 4.8m in diameter within walls about 1.0m thick. Within lies a low circular platform known as the 'Old Altar', still treated as a sacred place by the islanders at the end of the 19th century.

Immediately to the SE of this is a small structure, approximately 1.9m in diameter, built against the enclosure wall, and interpreted as the remains of a horizontal, or "click", mill. A stone-lined water-course is visible beneath the N half of the building, and leads from the so-called wellhouse, built against the W wall of the enclosure.

About 15m S of the enclosure are the footings of a rectangular building measuring approximately 6.8m NE-SW by 4.8m, within a wall 0.9m thick. There are traces of an entrance half way along the N wall, opposite the entrance to the enclosure, suggesting contemporary use, and it has been suggested that this may have been the church. A further ruinous wall appears to enclose this to the W, with the remainder of the perimeter formed by the edge of low cliffs.

The remains lie on a broad terrace at the foot of a cliff on the S coast of Canna. It is the furthest point W from which the probable monastic site at A'Chill is visible, and it seems likely that this was a place of retreat from the main monastic site, which has been claimed as the Hinba of St Columba.

The area to be scheduled is irregular in shape, measuring a maximum of 95m N-S by a maximum of 60m E-W, to include the main enclosure and the associated enclosure to its S. It extends 15m from the enclosure walls to N and W, and to the top of a low cliff to E and S, as defined in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as the well-preserved remains of an Early Christian monastic establishment. Because the site is difficult to access and lies some way from land cultivated by subsequent generations, the remains are little disturbed. Study of the remains has the potential to increase our knowledge of the early Church in Scotland and its role within the structure of contemporary society, and also of early ecclesiastical architecture and life, and material culture, in Scotland during the Early Christian 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.