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

  SM90248_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014773)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of Rispain Camp, a small late Iron Age defended farm or fort, surviving as well preserved earthworks. The monument is in the care of Historic Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Ministers. It occupies a commanding position overlooking the rolling fields of the South Machars of Galloway, 1.5km W of Whithorn. The reason for this rescheduling is that no adequate documentation can be traced from the time of the original scheduling in 1921.

The fort, rectilinear on plan, measures about 70m by 50m within an impressive double rampart and ditch. The ditch was originally c.6m in depth. The entrance causeway breaks the ditch at the NE. Excavations here in 1978-9 revealed the remains of a large timber-framed gate, through which a metalled road ran towards a group of large, circular timber buildings which stood in the middle of the enclosure. One of these was excavated, and was found to be c.13m in diameter, and of ring-groove construction. The excavations, which sampled about 10% of the total area, produced radiocarbon dates for the occupation of the site spanning the later centuries BC into the first two centuries AD. The fort came into state care in 1890.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described. The area proposed for scheduling is identical to that of the property in the care of Historic Scotland. The area is sub-rectangular on plan with maximum dimensions of 132m E-W by 93m N-S, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as the well-preserved remains of a small, late Iron Age fort or defended farm of unusual form. Although partly excavated in 1978-79, it retains considerable potential to provide information regarding life in a defended farm of this period. Moreover, the ditches are likely to have the potential to inform an understanding of the development of the late Iron Age landscape, together with evidence of contemporary agricultural and economic practices. The national importance of the monument is further underlined by its status as a property in the care of Historic Scotland.

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.