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

  SM6434_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600012322)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of an extensive abandoned settlement on a SE-facing slope above the bay at Harris.

The settlement contains at least 37 ruined buildings and associated walling. A range of buildings is represented, including houses, barns and other structures. The largest building is 14.5m by 6.3m within walls up to 1.8m wide. The majority of the other buildings are between 10m and 5m long. Although many of the buildings are likely to date to just prior to the Clearances, at least five may be earlier and the variable condition of preservation of the buildings suggests a lengthy period of occupation on this site.

In the most complex area at least three phases of structural history appear to be represented. Dykes define a number of enclosures within the settlement area. Harris may be the settlement marked as 'Kamming' on Pont's map of 1654. Harris is also marked on a map of 1801. The settlement was probably cleared in 1826 and 1828.

The area to be scheduled measures a maximum of 340m NW-SE by 165m SSW-NNE, to include the buildings and enclosures of the settlement and an area around in which traces of activities associated with the occupation of this site may survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map extract. The area of the modern house at Harris, the yard in front of this house and the fences around the steading are excluded from this scheduling, as shown.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance for its potential contribution to an understanding of domestic and social life on Rum prior to the Clearances. Harris was one of the main settlements on the island and the complexity of the settlement evidence suggests a long phase of occupation. The buildings, enclosures and field systems are well preserved.

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.