Scheduled Monument

Achaban House, standing stoneSM10626

Status: Designated

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.

Summary

Date Added
08/09/2003
Type
Crosses and carved stones: sculptured stone (not ascribed to a more specific type), Prehistoric ritual and funerary: standing stone
Local Authority
Argyll And Bute
Parish
Kilfinichen And Kilvickeon
NGR
NM 31331 23321
Coordinates
131331, 723321

Description

The monument comprises a standing stone of prehistoric or early medieval date, visible as an upstanding feature.

This standing stone, though possibly prehistoric in origin and relating to early ritual activities, has also been identified as one of a series of stone pillars traditionally believed to be guide-posts marking the pilgrim way from Green Point to Iona.

The standing stone is situated some 8m E of Achaban House at about 15m OD. The monument consists of an impressive standing stone of red granite aligned N-S. It stands to about 2.4m in height and measures a maximum of 0.7m wide by 0.5m thick. It rises with reasonably straight sides to a pointed top.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the standing stone described and an area around it within which related material is likely to survive. It is circular in shape with a diameter of 10m, as marked in red on the accompanying map. The above-ground components of the track and field boundaries are excluded from the scheduling.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance whether it was erected in prehistoric or early Christian times. As a prehistoric feature it would have the potential to contribute to an understanding of ritual practices and ceremonial activities in the late third or second millennium BC. As an early Christian pilgrim route marker, it would represent a rare survival of an in situ artefact relating to the early development of Christianity in the west of Scotland.

References

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NM32SW 1.

References:

Maclauchlan T 1865, 'Notice of monoliths in the Island of Mull', PROC SOC ANTIQ SCOT 5, 49.

RCAHMS 1980a, ARGYLL: AN INVENTORY OF THE MONUMENTS VOLUME 3: MULL, TIREE, COLL AND NORTHERN ARGYLL (EXCLUDING THE EARLY MEDIEVAL AND LATER MONUMENTS OF IONA), Edinburgh: HMSO, 65, No. 87.

Photographic references:

RCAHMS AG/104.

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.

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Printed: 01/04/2026 14:00