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

  SM10334_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013620)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a burial ground of possible early Christian or medieval date, with three cross-marked slabs, sited on one of the long narrow peninsulas at the head of Loch Sween, 435m NW of the small headland Rubha nan Sgarbh. The site is known locally as Achadh na Cille, or Field of the Burial Ground.

The burial ground is defined by an irregular stony bank forming an area approximately 19m NNE-SSW, by 12m E-W, with occasional large stones set transversely through the thickness of the bank, and with a marked scarp along the eastern side on the outer edge. The south-western part of the bank appears to have been rearranged or to have had a small stone platform (c.1.5m square) built over it, the function of which is unknown.

Within the burial enclosure are three cross-marked slabs, which would have originally been grave-markers. Two of the slabs have simple sunken grooved crosses, but the third has a more elaborate cross with terminals on the arms. The dating of such simple cross-marked slabs is uncertain, as they were used over a long period of time, but other stones of early Christian date are thought also to have originated from this site, which could indicate an early date for the burial ground.

Four other stones are associated with this site: a simple cross-marked slab now in the Kelvingrove Museum, Glasgow; two slabs with ringed crosses, also in Glasgow; and a slab with a ringed cross on one side and a simple cross mark on the other side, now outside St Columba's Episcopal Chapel at Old Poltalloch.

The area to be scheduled is oval in shape, with maximum measurements of c.30m N-S by 26m E-W, to include the burial ground, the cross-marked slabs and an area around in which remains relating to its construction and use may survive, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a burial ground of early Christian or medieval date, with three well-preserved cross-incised slabs still on site and other carved stones known to have come from the site. It retains the potential to provide important information about early Christian and later burial practices.

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.