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

  Legal Documents for Crooked Stone,standing stone 400m SE of North Crooked Stone (SM4226)

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600001348)

Summary

Description

The monument is a standing stone of unknown date: either prehistoric (late third or second millennium BC) or medieval (c AD 600-1400). It stands approximately 1.8m high and is roughly 0.35m square in cross-section at the base, tapering to 0.3m wide by 0.2m thick at the top. The stone is situated on undulating arable land to the S of the Powforth Burn, a tributary of the Avon Water and River Clyde. It stands about 170m above sea level with extensive views to the E and NE. The monument was first scheduled in 1979, but the documentation did not meet modern standards: the present amendment rectifies this.

The stone appears to be in its original location. It was set upright from a leaning position in the early 1800s (hence the name Crooked Stone on antiquarian maps), and now leans slightly to the NW. It is of slender, regular proportions and appears to have been dressed originally, though now weathered, which suggests it may be a medieval cross-shaft, rather than a prehistoric standing stone. There is possible evidence of carving in the form of a curving linear incised groove on the W face of the stone, which may be deliberate. The date '1889' has been inscribed on the E face, but is not original. Several small boulders at its base are likely to signify more recent field clearance.

The scheduled area is circular on plan, 10m in diameter, centred on the stone. The scheduled area includes the stone described above and an area around it in which evidence for the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

This monument is of national importance because it can make a significant addition to our understanding of the past, particularly the dating and function of standing stones. Crooked Stone is recorded on antiquarian maps and retains a slender, dressed and uniform shape, which suggests it is perhaps more likely to be a medieval cross-shaft than a prehistoric standing stone. There is high potential that archaeological investigation of the stone and its immediate vicinity would clarify its date, function and original context. Whatever its date, the stone is likely to have been a focal point in the landscape from the time of its erection onwards. Crooked Stone is rare in the Lanarkshire context as many of the recorded standing stones and crosses which may once have marked route-ways from the valley of the River Clyde have not survived. The loss of the monument would impede our ability to understand the placing and function of such monuments within the landscape of the Clyde valley.

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.