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

  SM7810_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013218)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a vitrified dun of prehistoric date.

The monument lies on the summit of Torr an Fhamhair at around 50m OD. It comprises a sub-circular dun measuring approximately 22m in diameter, defined by a partially vitrified wall measuring about 3m in thickness. The wall stands to a maximum height of about 1.5m internally and about 3m externally, with stretches of vitrified material visible, particularly on the N side of the exterior.

The site was partially excavated by Professor Childe in 1936 and 1937 with the aid of 'dynamite and a sledgehammer'. Sections cut through the wall revealed cavities which would have contained timber beams within sections of vitrified wall material. The interior of the dun was partly excavated down to bedrock level.

At the centre of the interior there was a paved area measuring about 4m across, at the centre of which there was a rectangular stone hearth. Some 3m to the E of the hearth, beneath the floor, was a chamber measuring about 1.5m in length and about 0.6m in depth, roofed by large stone slabs. The position of the dun entrance was not established.

Duns are fortified settlement sites of Iron Age date. Vitrification occurs when a timber-laced rampart is set on fire, producing temperatures high enough to fuse some of the rocks. It is no longer generally believed to be a deliberate constructional technique.

The area proposed for scheduling is circular with a diameter of about 45m, to include the dun, its interior and a small area outside it in which evidence relating to its construction and use may survive, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to our understanding of prehistoric settlement and economy. It has added curiosity value as the last known site in Britain to be archaeologically excavated with the aid of dynamite. Despite this drastic intervention, the site still retains considerable archaeological potential, since only a small part of it was fully excavated.

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.