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

  SM7929_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013264)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a circular chambered cairn, a funerary and ritual monument dating from the Neolithic period (c.4000-2000 BC).

The cairn lies at around 25m OD on gently sloping land close to the shore. It is circular, approximately 28m in diameter and stands roughly 3m high. The cairn material has been slightly disturbed, but there is no evidence of major stone-robbing or excavation. At least four massive stones are partially visible within the body of the cairn on the E side, and these probably indicate the position of the chamber or its entrance passage. A possible peristalith (ring of large stones around outer perimeter) has also been recorded on the S and W sides of the cairn, overlain with slumped cairn material.

The area to be scheduled is a circle, measuring 50m in diameter, centred on the cairn, to include the cairn and an area around it where evidence relating to its construction and use may be expected to survive. This area is marked in red on the accompanying map extract. The above-ground elements of the stock fence which runs through the scheduled area are specifically excluded from the scheduling.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a well preserved example of a chambered cairn, which has the potential to contribute to our understanding of Neolithic funerary and ritual practices. As the cairn appears to have suffered little disturbance, it may contain original funerary deposits and preserve important contemporary environmental evidence.

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.