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

  SM717_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600015822)

Summary

Description

The monument is a fort dating to the Iron Age (between about 800 BC and 500 AD). It is visible as a series of earthworks defining an oval enclosure within a sub-circular outer enclosure and the remains of up to 15 roundhouses. The monument surmounts a relatively steep hill at about 240m above sea level with the River Clyde visible in the distance.

The outer defences measure approximately 145m north-south by 180m east-west and are defined by walls of turf and stone. They stand to an average height of 0.50m and are broken by two entrances on the west and southeast sides. On the eastern side of the enclosure the outer defences are defined by two banks and the area between these banks forms an annex to the outer enclosure. The inner enclosure lies in the northern part of the enclosed area and occupies the highest part of the hill. It is oval in plan, measures about 40m north-south by 55m transversely, and is defined by turf-covered stone walls standing to a height of approximately 0.80m with an entrance gap on the southwest and a possible second entrance on the southeast. The remains of 12 to 15 roundhouse are visible within both the outer and inner enclosures.

The scheduled area is irregular 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 scheduling specifically excludes the above-ground elements of the stone dyke that runs northwest-southeast across the monument. The monument was first scheduled in 1961, but the documentation does not meet current standards: the present amendment rectifies this.

Statement of National Importance

This monument is of national importance because it can make a significant addition to our understanding of the past, in particular of Iron Age settlement, society, economy and domestic life in central Scotland. It is a well-preserved example of a substantial fort that retains its field characteristics and which may have had an extended development sequence. In addition to the visible remains, there is significant potential for the preservation of buried deposits, features and structures relating to its construction and use. The monument can therefore expand our understanding of later prehistoric settlement, particularly the design and development of settlement types in central Scotland. Its importance is enhanced by its close proximity to Dumbarton Castle, a comparably sized fort indicating a chronological or hierarchical relationship. The loss or damage of the monument would diminish our ability to appreciate and understand the date, distribution and character of later prehistoric settlements in central Scotland, as well as society and economy during this 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.