Scheduled Monument

Blackshaw Quarry,cup & ring marked rock 320m S ofSM4429

Status: Designated

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.

Summary

Date Added
22/07/1987
Type
Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cupmarks or cup-and-ring marks and similar rock art
Local Authority
North Ayrshire
Parish
West Kilbride
NGR
NS 23110 48346
Coordinates
223110, 648346

Description

The monument is a flat outcrop of rock, decorated with cup and ring markings. The decoration on the rock comprises about 300 cups, 40 'half cups', 27 cups with one ring, 11 cups with two rings, 3 cups with three rings and 3 spirals. Some rings are gapped, with a redial groove from the cup. The greatest ring diameters and the greatest depth of carving are 28cm and 5cm respectively.

An area measuring 20m square, lying on the dyke which runs immediately S of the outcrop, is proposed for scheduling; to the S of the dyke an area 20m (E-W) x 5m (N-S) is proposed, to include a further area of outcrop on which at least 2 cup marks survive.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance to the theme of prehistoric rock art. It is one of the most complex and one of the best preserved cup and ring marked outcrops in SW Scotland.

References

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the site as NS 24 NW 19.

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.

Images

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Printed: 01/04/2026 18:06