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

  SM10568_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013707)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a broch, which is a stone-built defensive tower characteristic of the Iron Age (around 500 BC to AD 500). The broch is visible as upstanding structural remains.

The monument lies some 670m NNE of Ardnacross farmhouse, overlooking the Sound of Mull. It stands on the brink of a rocky cliff 7m high, which borders the shoreline about 80m to the E. From all other directions the approach to the broch is over almost level ground.

The broch appears as a large circular mound of stones. It stands about 2m high around its perimeter and has a slightly hollowed centre. A sufficient number of facing stones are exposed to establish that the broch is circular on plan, with a wall at least 4m thick enclosing a central court about 10.7m in diameter. The entrance is situated to the NW and is choked with debris, including what appear to be fallen lintel stones; it is checked for a door.

Traces of intramural structures can be seen on the NNE and S, but in the absence of excavation it is not possible to determine their precise size or function. To the N of the broch a thin scatter of stony debris, which extends for some 17m to the SW along a natural scarp from the crest of the cliff on the E, appears to represent the remains of a defensive outwork, probably a wall, designed to provide extra protection for the broch entrance.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related material is likely to survive. It is an elongated oval in shape with maximum dimensions of 75m NNW-SSE and 39m ENE-WSW, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national because of its potential to contribute to an understanding of prehistoric defended settlement, architecture 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.