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

  SM7849_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013235)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of a group of archaeological features within and under the peat which forms the remaining part of North Ballachulish Moss.

In the N part of the site archaeological survey has revealed a basin in the peat with evidence for a complex stone and timber platform within it. This may have been a platform or crannog. It dates to the middle or late Bronze Age (around 3500 years ago). In the S part of the site is a stone cairn or mound which has been partly cleared of peat - this is possibly a burial cairn or other structure of prehistoric date. Numerous discoveries of burial cists, bog butter and the well known Ballachulish Goddess were found in this general area during the 19th century.

The area to be scheduled is irregular on plan, and measures a maximum of 280m N-S by 155m E-W, to include the Bronze Age platform, the stone cairn and an area around these in which remains of other structures and traces of activities connected with the construction and use of these structures are likely to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map extract. The proposed scheduled area is defined at its SW by recent property boundary lines which are not shown on the current Ordnance Survey map.

Statement of National Importance

This monument is of national importance for its potential contribution to an understanding of prehistoric religious belief. The stone and timber platform is well preserved within the peat and a range of other structures and deposits exist in close proximity. In addition, the site will contain important information about prehistoric and more recent vegetation cover and land-use.

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.