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

  SM3974_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600009971)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of two prehistoric hut circles, situated about 80m apart in a clearing within a conifer plantation, at a height of around 100m OD. Hut circles are the remains of timber round-houses of prehistoric date. Unenclosed settlements such as this are predominantly Bronze Age and early Iron Age in date (about 1500 to 500 BC). The hut circles were originally scheduled in 1977, but the area covered by the designation did not relate accurately to the remains on the ground. The current rescheduling rectifies this.

The southernmost hut circle (which was excavated in 1978) measures about 9.5m from N to S by about 8m transversely, within a heather-covered stony bank which marks its perimeter wall. The northernmost hut circle measures about 6.5m in diameter, also within a heather-covered stony bank. A crescentic arc of bank lying immediately to the N is probably the remains of an earlier hut circle.

This monument is part of a rich prehistoric archaeological landscape: Tormore is exceptionally rich in hut circles and associated remains.

The area to be scheduled comprises two distinct areas, both circular on plan, to encompass the remains described and an area around them in which related material may be expected to survive. That to the S measures a maximum of 26m in diameter, while that to the N measures a maximum of 31m in diameter, as shown in red on the attached map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as the remains of at least two associated hut circles, with considerable potential to enhance our knowledge of prehistoric settlement, society and economy. Although one of the hut circles has been excavated, its basic structure survives and it remains of importance as one of a group. The importance of the hut circles is enhanced by the fact that they form part of an exceptionally rich and broadly contemporary archaeological 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.