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

  SM11469_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013977)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a small, sunken hut interpreted as the site of an illicit still dating to the 18th or early 19th centuries. It is characteristically isolated and well concealed, in a small gully to the NW of the Deskry Water, and with a good supply of water.

The structure measures 3.5 m from NE-SW by 3 m transversely, within revetting drystone walls around 0.7 m thick and at least 1.2 m high. It is well-preserved, apart from its N wall, which has collapsed, partially filling the interior with loose stones. Presumably, this tumble of stones obscures steps down into the hut from an entrance in the NE side. The sound of running water from beneath the interior rubble suggests that they built the hut on the site of a spring issuing from the base of the hillslope to the N.

The area to be scheduled is circular on plan, centred on the structure, to include the remains described and an area around in which evidence relating to its construction and use may survive, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

Cultural Significance

The monument's archaeological significance can be expressed as follows:

Intrinsic characteristics: The monument is in a relatively good state of preservation and visible in the landscape. It is characteristically isolated and well hidden in a gully and with a good source of water. Its construction over the site of a spring makes the monument particularly distinctive. The continued landuse as pasture, and now also as grouse moor, has probably resulted in the preservation of further archaeological deposits within the structure. It therefore has the potential to reveal further information about the construction and use of illicit local still huts in the 18th and early 19th centuries.

Contextual characteristics: As a clearly identifiable and relatively well-preserved example, the site has the potential to add to the knowledge of this covert, rural industry and the attitude to authority in 18th and early 19th century rural communities in NE Scotland. It can be compared and contrasted to other such sites, both in the region (such as the published examples on the Mar Lodge Estate) and nationally.

Associative characteristics: The site comprises rare, tangible remains of an illicit rural industry which looms large in the folklore of the Highlands.

National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to make a significant addition to the understanding of rural industry and society in this locality and, by association, the rest of Scotland during the 18th century and early 19th century. It is a well-preserved example of a rare site type (uncommon both in the region and across Scotland). Unusually, the site possesses characteristics, other than its location, to suggest its specialised use. The loss of the site would erode our ability to physically demonstrate a popular facet of Highland history.

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.