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

  SM11274_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013921)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a promontory fort of later prehistoric, perhaps Iron Age, date. The monument occupies a long sinuous promontory between the deep and precipitous North and South Burgi geos, with cliffs 60m high, and is situated on the remote and deserted west coast of Yell.

The fort is approached along a narrowing isthmus, where the outer defences are placed; then crosses a lower and narrower saddle of rock before rising to the fort. The outer defences consist of two distinct features on each side of the approach. On the N there is a continuous line of jagged boulders and to the S is a bank in which is set many jagged boulders, and which has been identified as an example of chevaux-de-frise. Behind this, on the promontory, the path is flanked by a wall of dry-stone masonry, which represents the probable remains of a block house 4.25m NE-SW by 6.7m transversely, with a small ring wall curving round and back. The structure does not have an entrance passage and does not appear to have fully blocked the approach to the promontory.

The area to be scheduled encompasses the visible remains and an area around them in which traces of associated activity may be expected to survive. It is irregular in shape with maximum dimensions of 95m from its westernmost point due east, and 45m due N-S, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as an extraordinary and unique fortified settlement; the combination of chevaux-de-frise and blockhouse, has not been found at any other site. The chevaux-de-frise is the most northerly example so far identified, with the nearest examples found in southern mainland Scotland. The entrance arrangements are remarkable, but rather than a defence they almost appear to serve as an avenue into the fort. The distribution of blockhouses is so far restricted to Shetland and the example at Burgi Geos adds to the very limited number that have been positively classified as such. The arrangements of the blockhouse are slightly different from all other examples and demonstrate the flexibility of the form. The location of the monument is also remarkable; it must have always been a very remote site surrounded by very marginal land.

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.