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

  SM9762_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013596)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a crannog, a late prehistoric dwelling constructed upon a partly or wholly artificial island. It includes submerged remains of what may be a medieval castle.

Cherry Island lies near the S end of Loch Ness, in a rare shallow area near to the W shore. It is more correctly known as Eilean Muireach, Murdoch's Island. Although it is now relatively small in extent, prior to the raising of the loch waters for the Caledonian Canal it would have measured from 50m to 60m across.

In 1908 underwater examination showed the island's construction to consist of an extensive platform of oak beams, fastened together and edged by tree trunks. The wooden structure was observed to be overlain by a mound of rubble with some larger stone. This last may represent the remains of the small castle known to have existed on the site in the 15th century. There are traces of a causeway, now submerged, running from the NW corner towards the nearby shore. On the SE corner of the island, also submerged, is a ridge of stones, perhaps a breakwater.

The area to be scheduled is circular and 80m in diameter, centred on the island as now visible. It includes the whole island and an area of the loch bed around it which formed part of the island until the loch level was raised, as well as a small area outside this in which related remains are likely to survive. The area is shown in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a good example of a late prehistoric crannog with later, medieval, use. It has the potential to provide evidence for domestic and defensive activity over an extended period. Its waterlogged condition indicates a much better than usual potential for the preservation of organic remains. The monument also has a special place in the history of research into crannogs. In 1908 it was one of first sites to attract the attention of Fr Odo Blundell, then resident at Fort Augustus Abbey. He went on to undertake pioneering underwater examinations of a number of other sites.

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.