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

  SM8769_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013415)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises an enclosed settlement and field system, dating to the prehistoric period, and visible as upstanding remains.

The monument lies on a SW-facing bracken-covered hillside, at a height of c.275 to 255m OD. Friar's Nose fort is clearly visible, only 150m S of the settlement and at a similar altitude, but on the other side of the river valley (of the Whiteadder Water). The monument comprises an enclosed settlement of two substantial hut circles, at least three smaller hut circles and associated field banks and clearance cairns.

The two substantial hut circles lie immediately adjacent to each other, apparently with their walls abutting. These two well-preserved structures measure c.22 and 20m in diameter, within stoney banks c.1.5m across which stand up to c.0.8m high. The southernmost of the two hut circles has an entrance in its N wall. Some 20m to the SW lies a much smaller circle, again clearly visible but only about 5m in diameter.

Around 60m NNE of the two substantial hut circles are the remains of at least two other smaller hut circles, 30m apart and each about 8m in diameter. Short stretches of upstanding field banks and occasional clearance cairns are located among the hut circles. Traces of an enclosing stoney bank may be found N and E of the settlement nucleus. The settlement is likely to be of prehistoric date, probably dating to the Bronze Age or Iron Age.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the visible extent of the remains described, and an area around them within which related material may be expected to be found. It consists of a rectangular area measuring 160m NE-SW by 80m NW-SE, as shown in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because, as a well-preserved example of a prehistoric settlement site, possibly associated with the nearby Friar's Nose fort, it has the potential to contribute to our understanding of prehistoric settlement and economy.

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.