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

  SM1688_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600004395)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a stone circle, a ritual monument dating from the Neolithic period. The monument was originally scheduled in 1958, but the area covered by the designation was not properly defined. The current rescheduling rectifies this.

The stone circle lies at around 280m OD on a south-facing hill slope overlooking the valley of the Roughley Burn as it heads towards its confluence with the Hermitage Water. The "circle" is actually slightly oval in shape measuring 7.5m ENE-WSW by 7m. Seven of the nine stones are quite small, standing approximately 0.5m high, but two stones on the SW side are larger. The stone at the southern end of the circle is 1.5m high, and that immediately to the W is 0.5m high, but the next stone to the W is 1.75m tall. It is not clear whether all of the stones are now seen at their original height or if some may have been broken in antiquity. A number of the stones, including the two largest, now lean inwards to varying degrees. A number of smaller earthfast stones cluster around the circle, although again it is not clear whether these are part of the original layout or are later additions.

The stone circle also features in local folklore as the backdrop to the grisly demise of Lord Soules, the wicked inhabitant of Hermitage Castle. He was entrapped by a sorcerer, encased in lead and roasted alive in a cauldron set in the centre of the stone circle. No excavation has taken place within the circle, so, unfortunately, the veracity of this story cannot be confirmed.

The area to be scheduled is a circle 30m in diameter centred on the circle, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our understanding of prehistoric ritual and religion. The oval shape of the circle is similar to a number of other such sites in the area, forming a small group of particular interest.

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.