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

  SM7800_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013210)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a fort of prehistoric date.

The monument lies on a prominent wooded ridge called The Torr, at around 70m OD. This ridge rises above a flat alluvial plain, and is a very conspicuous local landmark. The fort is of an irregular shape on plan, conforming to the contours of the ridge-top and measuring approximately 90m long by a maximum width of about 20m at its SSE end and by no more than about 4m wide at its NNW end.

It is defined by a heavily vitrified wall measuring up to 4.5m thick, which survives best at the N end of the SW side, where the outer wall face stands to a height of about 0.5m. A large section of the wall at the NE side has collapsed down the side of the ridge. Extending from the S end of the vitrified fort is a wall measuring between 2m and 4m wide and enclosing a sub-rectangular area measuring about 50m NNW-SSE by some 25m transversely.

Several stretches of the outer facing stones are visible, though the wall shows no sign of vitrification. The entrance gap, at the SSW, measures about 2m wide. Within the NNW end of the vitrified fort is an oval enclosure measuring approximately 7m by 6m, defined by a band of vitrified rubble measuring about 2.5m thick.

Although the chronological relationship between the three elements of the fort is unclear, forts such as this are characteristic of the Iron Age. Vitrification occurs when timber-laced ramparts are set on fire, producing temperatures high enough to fuse some of the rocks.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related material may be expected to be found. It is irregular, measuring 160m NNW-SSE by 60m at its widest, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a fine example of an Iron Age fort in a very striking location. It has the potential to contribute to our understanding of prehistoric defended settlement and economy. This potential is enhanced by the multi-period nature of the remains, which offers the possibility of examining the evolution of defensive systems over time.

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.