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

  Legal Documents for Dun Auladh, 230m SSE of Am Birlinn (SM10566)

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600038553)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a dun, a form of fortified settlement or enclosed site, dating from the Iron Age (around 500 BC to AD 500). It survives as oval enclosure defined by the remains of a stone wall. The monument lies on a low rocky knoll between the Allt Torr a' Bhacain and the Allt Dun Auladh burns, at around 55m OD. 

The dun measures around 15m from north-northwest to south-southeast by 7m within a wall about 2.5m thick. The wall is visible as a substantial spread of rubble, representing the core material of the wall. A number of large facing stones, forming the lowest course of each face, survive on the southwest. The entrance was probably situated on the west-southwest, where for a short distance the spread of rubble is thinner than elsewhere, and where the approach onto the knoll is less steep.

The scheduled area is circular, with a diameter of 25m. It includes the remains described above and an area around within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. All above ground elements of fences and gates are specifically excluded from the schedule.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a well-preserved example of a dun with surviving upstanding features. The dun is in a characteristic location of other inland small hilltop or rock outcrop-style forts which are found across Scotland. It is therefore an important representative of this monument type and therefore it makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the past as a defensive site dating from later prehistory, most likely the Iron Age. It adds to our understanding of later prehistoric society in Scotland and the function, use and development of enclosed defended sites. The monument retains structural and other physical features and there is significant potential for the survival of buried archaeological deposits within and around the site which contribute to its research potential. 

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.