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

  SM11509_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014000)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a standing stone with cupmarkings of prehistoric date, known as the Ringing Stone. It stands on a broad plateau situated between the Hill of Newleslie and the Hill of Johnston, in the NE corner of a cultivated field, at 225m above sea level.

The stone is an erect granite boulder measuring 2m high, 0.70m wide and 0.35m deep at its base. At 1.1m high, the SSW side narrows towards the NNE side of the monument to a thickness of around 0.10m. There are at least four cupmarks on the WNW face, the largest measuring up to 50mm in diameter. A single depression on the ESE face may be natural. Stone packing visibly supports the stone around its base.

The monument probably relates to ritual activity of Neolithic or Early Bronze-Age date. It has been suggested that the stone would have once been a 'flanker' in a recumbent stone circle. Historical oral evidence of a cairn from the tenants of Cotetown, who said that the cairn was destroyed to build Cotetown farm, may support this. However, it is also feasible that the stone was a single standing stone used to mark the burial cairn of a respected person or as a boundary marker or meeting place. The purpose of prehistoric cupmarkings is still unclear, however many suggest that cupmarkings are evidence of a place with ritual significance. There are many suggestions as to the meanings of cupmarkings from symbols of worship, astronomical connections to merely decorative art.

The area proposed for scheduling is circular on plan, to include the standing stone and an area around in which evidence for its construction and use may be expected to be found, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

Cultural Significance

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

Intrinsic characteristics: The monument has considerable potential to enhance understanding of late Neolithic and Bronze Age ritual monuments and practices. The monument is physical evidence of prehistoric people using both natural objects and man-made carvings in order to make a visual impact on the landscape. It is also possibly the only visible element of a larger prehistoric funerary site. While the repertoire of carved designs in Aberdeenshire is disappointing in comparison to other parts of Scotland, these motifs have an important correlation with recumbent stone circles and other stone settings.

Contextual characteristics: The monument, as a single monolith, is representative of one type of site within a larger group of Neolithic/Bronze Age ritual sites, such as standing stones, stone circles and recumbent stone circles, in western Aberdeenshire. We can only fully understand these types of monument in their original, wider landscape setting. Therefore, the monument's location enhances its value, as well as our understanding of the ritual prehistoric landscape in which it resides.

Associative characteristics: This monument, named the 'Ringing Stone' on historical maps, has been visible in the landscape for thousands of years where it continues to make the visual impact its creators intended.

National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to our understanding of prehistoric ritual practices. It also contributes to today's landscape and is likely to help us to understand more about the Neolithic/Bronze Age landscape that it would have been a part of.

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.