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

  SM11630_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014053)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a single granite standing stone of prehistoric date. The stone occupies a prominent position on a saddle between two hills, in an area of grass and heather scrub.

The monument measures approximately 2.8m in height, 1m in breadth from NE to SW and 0.7m in thickness. Boulders lying at the base of the stone on the NW may represent packing of the pit in which the stone was placed. There are also at least four outlying smaller stones, between 0.3m and 0.5m in width, situated at a distance of between 4.5m and 5m from the standing stone, which possibly represent the remains of an associated stone circle.

The area to be scheduled is circular on plan, to include the standing stone, the outlying stones and an area in which evidence relating to the construction and use of the monument may survive, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

Cultural Significance

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

Intrinsic characteristics: The characteristic structural features that define this class of monument are well preserved and the associated archaeological deposits are very likely to remain well preserved. The survival of a series of outlying stones, possibly representing components of a stone circle, has the potential to enhance significantly enhance understanding of the monument.

Contextual characteristics: The monument occupies a prominent position in the landscape with wide views, particularly to the SW. It is monumental in the landscape and would have had a significant place within the prehistoric landscape of the area. Its sheer size is an indicator of its importance. It belongs to an important group of ritual monuments in NE Scotland that are our main index of the nature and extent of Neolithic and Bronze Age settlement in this area.

Associative characteristics: There is a variety of traditional evidence regarding the name of the monument, sometimes referred to as Macbeth's Stone. Lulach was the name of the hound of the Gaelic demi-god Cuchullin, but it has also been claimed that the stone commemorates Lulach, King of Moray and a stepson of Macbeth.

National Importance: The monument is of national significance because of its size, monumentality and rarity. There is good potential for the survival of archaeological evidence relating to its construction and use. Traditional evidence regarding the monument's name and possible commemorative associations enhances its interest. The monument occupies a prominent position in the landscape where prehistoric people conducting their day-to-day activities would have been able to see it. Its loss would significantly affect our ability to understand this landscape.

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.