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

  SM2277_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600008526)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the extensive and dense remains of clusters of prehistoric and later settlement and an associated field system. It is situated at the north end of Gleann Mor on either side of the Abhainn a'Ghlinne Mhoir. The monument was first scheduled in 1963, but an inadequate area was included to protect all of the archaeological remains: the present rescheduling rectifies this.

The structures take a variety of forms, but many are fragmentary cellular, corbelled structures, with associated 'horns'. The most famous of these is the structure known since at least 1697 as the 'Amazon's House' (NA 0879 0009). This is set into the hill and has a central chamber and linked cells, all roofed over with turf-covered corbelling. It was reported in 1697, when this building was already the subject of legend, that 'some of the inhabitants dwell in it all summer, though it be some hundred years old.' Excavations elsewhere on the island now suggest that many of the structures in Gleann Mor could well be prehistoric in origin. It is unknown if settlement was permanent at any point; it was certainly seasonal in recent centuries. Cleitean (small drystone structures used for storage) litter the area, as elsewhere on St Kilda. One of the best surviving examples of 'lazy beds' on the island is to be found in the north-western extremity of the site.

The area to be scheduled is irregular on plan, reflecting the density of activity which itself is largely dictated by the topography. Its maximum dimension NW-SE is c.900m by 645m transversely, as marked in red on the accompanying map. It includes the above ground features and an area around them in which associated remains may survive.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a well-preserved area of multi-period remains that is a key component of the wider St. Kilda archaeological landscape. Within this area are a variety of upstanding, early structures that are exceptionally well-preserved and apparently unique to St. Kilda. These remains have the potential to provide important information about life on St. Kilda through the millennia, an extreme existence that has been of enormous interest to Scottish and international observers from early times.

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.