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

  SM90134_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014665)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a fort, broch and settlement of prehistoric date. It is in the care of the Secretary of State for Scotland and is being re-scheduled to clarify the extent of the protected area.

The monument lies on the NE slope of Cockburn Law, at around 210m OD. It comprises an oval fort with internal dimensions of about 135m E-W by about 75m transversely. It is defined by double ramparts standing up to about 4.5m above the bottom of the adjacent ditches, except on the N, where the defences are slighter and consist of two stony banks.

There are entrances on the E and WSW. The W end of the fort's interior is occupied by a broch measuring about 27m in overall diameter. There are three mural cells within the walls of the broch, which stand to a height of up to about 1.5m and measure about 5m thick. The entrance, complete with door-checks and guard cells, is on the SSE.

The broch stands within a sub-rectangular walled enclosure which may be of broadly contemporary date. The E half of the fort is occupied by a number of circular hut foundations, some of which overlie the ramparts, suggesting that they belong to a phase of occupation when defence was no longer a priority.

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, with maximum dimensions of 210m from its easternmost point to its westernmost point and 170m from its northernmost point to its southernmost point, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract. The area to be scheduled coincides with the area in the care of the Secretary of State.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to an understanding of prehistoric settlement and economy. Its importance is increased by its proximity to other monuments of potentially contemporary date.

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.