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

  SM2526_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600008738)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a Roman fort and civilian settlement, partly excavated and displayed but predominantly surviving below ground under parkland and woodland. The site has been scheduled for many years, but this rescheduling extends the protected area to cover the full extent of known archaeological remains, taking into account the results of numerous excavations over the past twenty years.

The monument is situated near the mouth of the River Almond, where it meets the Firth of Forth. It comprises a sub-rectangular fort defended by ramparts and ditches enclosing just under 5 acres, and associated civilan settlement. Excavations have shown that the fort was constructed around AD 140, during the Antonine period, with re-occupation later in the Antonine period, and again in the Severan period in the early third century AD. Some civilian re-use of the fort took place in the post-Severan period, up to the fourth century AD. The surviving portion comprises the NE and SE sectors of the fort, much of the remainder being beneath modern housing and roads.

The civilian settlement, situated beyond the N and E ramparts of the fort, has produced indications of industrial as well as domestic activity, including evidence of a leather-working industry. Coins dating to the first century AD suggest some occupation in the Agricolan period, although excavations have so far failed to prove an Agricolan origin for the fort.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described above and areas around them within which related material may be expected to be found. It is irregular in shape, with maximum overall dimensions of 425m NW-SE by 435m NE-SW, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract. Surfaces and above ground elements of modern walls, field boundaries, paths, roads and car parking areas are excluded from the scheduling, as are all upstanding modern buildings and their immediate environs. In particular, exclusions include Cramond House and Tower, Cramond Church, Manse, Church Hall and burial ground and surrounding land, all as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The relevance of the complex to the Roman occupation of the south and east of Scotland and to military campagins from at least 140s AD to after 212AD, together with its richness, ensure this monuments high national importance.

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.