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

  SM1451_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600004199)

Summary

Description

The monument is a broch dating probably to between 600 BC and AD 400. It survives as a steep, curving grass-grown stony mound which stands up to 3m high. Stone walling is exposed in places revealing the curvature of the broch tower. There are indications of an outer bank to the W of the mound, and on the N and E sides the uneven ground surface may indicate the presence of additional settlement remains. The southern edge of the mound is suffering from coastal erosion which has exposed a section revealing archaeological deposits and stone structures. The broch is situated on a rocky promontory on the S coast of Rousay, overlooking Eynhallow Sound. The monument was first scheduled in 1935, but the documentation did not meet modern standards: the present rescheduling rectifies this.

The scheduled area is irregular on plan and includes the remains described above and an area around it within which evidence relating to the monument's use and re-use is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduling specifically excludes the above-ground elements of modern stone walls, post-and-wire fences and two boat nousts 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 Iron Age society in Orkney and the role and function of brochs in northern Britain. Significant remains of the lower broch structure and occupation deposits are likely to survive within the mound, and there is also potential for the survival of associated structures and settlement surrounding the broch to the N and E. The mound is still prominent in the landscape today and its significance is enhanced because it is one of a group of brochs along this stretch of the Rousay coastline, all of which overlook Eynhallow Sound and towards another string of brochs along the E coast of Orkney Mainland, including the Broch of Gurness. Together, these broch sites in close proximity have high potential to elucidate our understanding of the organisation of society and land-use in the Iron Age. The loss of this monument would impede our ability to understand the nature of Iron Age society, economy and social hierarchy, both in Orkney and across Scotland as a whole. It would also diminish our ability to appreciate and understand the relationship between these brochs and their 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.