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

  SM11651_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014059)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of two hut circles and two platforms, surviving as upstanding earthworks and mounds. These sites are regarded as dwellings dating to the later prehistoric period and are situated close together on flat open rough grazing at 285 m OD on the south facing slopes of Tap O' Noth.

The S hut circle, measuring 10 m in diameter, survives as an earth bank. Located 30 m to the NNW, the second hut circle is also distinguished by an earth bank with occasional stones within it and measures 10 m in diameter. The two platforms are immediately adjacent to the northern hut circle being grassy circular mounds, 6 m and 10 m in diameter respectively. The larger platform is distinguished by larger boulders set on the eastern edge of the platform. The monument is surrounded by numerous cairns and traces of an ancient field system.

The area to be scheduled is sub-rectangular on plan, to include the two hut circles, two platforms and an area around and between them where traces of activities associated with their construction and use may survive, as shown 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 a well-preserved archaeological site. It has not been excavated and therefore has the potential to provide high quality archaeological evidence for the construction, use and abandonment of prehistoric dwellings.

Contextual characteristics: the site is a good example of a type known throughout northern Scotland. The site is probably associated with ancient cairns and a field system. These features may well be contemporary and therefore enhance the potential to understand the agricultural context of domestic activity on the site.

Associative characteristics: the monument is the product of prehistoric peoples and demonstrates the dominant type of dwelling using during the Bronze and Iron Ages in northern Scotland.

National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to make a significant addition to the understanding of the past, in particular the settlement and economy of Scotland during the Bronze and Iron Ages. This potential is enhanced by its relatively good preservation. The loss of this example would affect our ability to understand the Bronze and Iron Ages in Scotland

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.