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

  SM1434_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600004183)

Summary

Description

The monument is a probable Norse castle, overlying and incorporating an earlier structure of probable Pictish (Late Iron Age) date. The castle dates probably from around the 12th century, and the earlier structure probably to sometime between 500-800 AD. These structures are built within and atop a substantial mound which may also contain prehistoric structural remains. The monument is located on the SW coast of Holm, Orkney Mainland, at about 5m above sea level, immediately S of Howes Wick, overlooking Holm Sound. The monument was first scheduled in 1938, but the documentation did not meet modern standards: the present amendment rectifies this.

The mound is roughly circular in plan, approximately 22m in diameter, and stands up to 3m high. On top of the mound are the remains of a rectangular stone-built structure measuring approximately 9.8m E-W by 8m transversely (maximum), with an entrance in the W (seaward-facing) wall. The walls are 2.2m thick on average and bear traces of lime mortar, indicative of a Norse or medieval date. The earlier structure is built into the mound and is visible as a D-shaped chamber measuring approximately 4.25m E-W by 2.75m transversely; in 1929, RCAHMS recorded that its walls stood 1.6m high. The interior is partitioned with edge-set slabs and other upright stones and contains a re-used saddle quern. The lower chamber is accessed from within the upper building by a flight of stone steps, suggesting that it was re-used in the Norse period. The site was partly excavated in the 1920s, but no other artefacts are recorded.

The scheduled area is irregular on plan to include the remains described above and an area around them within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduling excludes the above-ground elements of all post-and-wire fences to allow for their maintenance.

Statement of National Importance

This monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to make a significant addition to our understanding of the past, in particular of Norse society in Orkney, the function, use and development of  Norse castles and associated settlements, and societal changes as a result of Norse colonisation of earlier sites. The site as a whole clearly has a complex development sequence, including probable prehistoric, Pictish and Norse remains. Its importance is enhanced because this is one of the few surviving stone-built Norse castles in Orkney and Scotland. The monument is part of a wider landscape of prehistoric and early medieval remains in this part of Orkney. The loss of the monument would significantly diminish our ability to appreciate and understand the impact of Norse colonisation and organisation, including developments such as the introduction of stone-built castles during the late Norse period.

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.