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

  SM716_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600002560)

Summary

Description

The monument is a rock outcrop containing carved pre-historic abstract motifs or rock art, likely to be up to 5000 years old. The monument is located on a gentle southern facing slope at about 135m above sea-level which overlooks the River Clyde to the south.

The outcrop measures 13m east-west by 8m transversely. Approximately 90 cup and ring marks have been recorded with individual examples measuring up to 90cm in diameter. Between one and seven rings surround individual cups. Approximately 110 cup motifs, up to 8cm deep, have also been recorded. Several of these motifs are laid out so as to form a group pattern. Further unusual carved marks are visible on the rock face and these include a pair of four-toed footprints and a ringed cross. The outcrop has been covered in the past with turf to assist its preservation.

The scheduled area is polygonal on plan to include the remains described above and an area around them within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduled area runs up to, but excludes, the post-and-wire fence and the stone wall surrounding the monument to allow for their maintenance.

Statement of National Importance

This monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to make a significant addition to our understanding of the past, in particular, prehistoric rock art studies in Scotland. The monument contains one of the largest and most diverse concentrations of commonly known and unusual carved motifs in Scotland. The monument has the potential to enhance our understanding of the placing, meaning and function of such decorated panels. Due to the diverse concentration of carvings and the unusual nature of some of the motifs, the loss of the monument would significantly affect our understanding of prehistoric rock art within Scotland, and the potential for future study and interpretation.

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.