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

  SM6328_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600012216)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of a shell midden and other deposits in a south-south-east facing cave which has an excellent prospect of the Sound of Rum.

The shallow cave is formed from an overhang of rock which shelters an uneven rocky floor about 9m in diameter. This floor is just over 8m above high tide mark. The shell midden is partly exposed and a hearth was recorded during an earlier visit. The hearth was associated with bones of sheep, deer, horse, seal and sea birds, together with large numbers of shell fish valves.

A 13th-Century Norse draughtsman or playing piece was also found within the cave and may help to date the midden. However, there is also a good probablity of Mesolithic occupation buried under later middens within this cave.

The area to be scheduled is a circle measuring 35m in diameter, which includes the cave and and area around in which traces of activities associated with the occupation of the cave may survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance for its potential contribution to an understanding of the Medieval occupation of Rum. It may also contain Mesolithic occupation and, if so, would have an interesting relationship with the Mesolithic site at Farm Fields, Kinloch. The cave is likely to contain important deposits relating to the past economy and environment of human populations on Rum.

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.