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

  SM1734_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600015762)

Summary

Description

The monument is the remains of a hillfort dating to the Iron Age (between about 800 BC and 500 AD). It is visible as a roughly oval enclosure defined by a turf-covered stone rampart. To the north there are a series of ramparts and ditches protecting the approach to the fort. The monument is situated on a knoll on the south face of the Campsie Fells at about 220m above sea level and has extensive views along the Kelvin Valley.

The enclosure measures approximately 47m east-west by 45m transversely within a turf-covered stone rampart pierced by entrances on the east and west sides. No internal features are visible. To the east of the east entrance is a slight depression that may have been a well associated with the fort. A neck of land which forms a natural approach to the fort from north is protected by a series of ramparts and ditches standing up to 3-4m in height. A modern cairn stands on the northeast arc of the enclosing rampart.

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 monument was first scheduled in 1959, but the documentation does not meet current standards: the present amendment rectifies this.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to make a significant addition to our knowledge and understanding of Iron Age settlement, society, economy and domestic life. The monument preserves key structural features of a hillfort to a significant degree in the form of substantial and well-defined ramparts and ditches. Excavations have confirmed that the site has good potential for preservation of important buried deposits, features and structures relating to its construction and use. The monument can therefore expand our understanding of later prehistoric settlement, particularly the design and development of defensive settlement across the central belt of Scotland. The site is significant for its demonstration of the effective exploitation and enhancement of natural topography for defence. Our understanding of the date, distribution and character of later prehistoric settlements in central Scotland would be diminished if this monument was to be lost or damaged.

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.