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

  SM4463_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600010378)

Summary

Description

The monument is a fort of the Iron Age occupying the summit of Black Hill. The fort is complex, its defences showing at least three phases of construction. The first phase appears to have been the occupation of the summit plateau only by what may be a palisaded settlement with an entrance to the SW. At a later date two ramparts were built running round the S, E, and NE of the site. To the NE there is a third rampart associated with this phase and an entrance through all three lines of defence.

At a later date the fort has been extended; this phase is defended by a single rampart which runs from a point on the earlier outer rampart to the NE, around the N, W, and S sides to fade out to the SE. A possible fourth phase is shown by a low bank and terrace enclosing an area smaller than the other phases, at the NE end of the site. Within the area enclosed by the outermost rampart are at least twenty circular house platforms. The fort measures c. 210m (NE-SW) x c. 125m transversely overall.

The area to be proposed for scheduling includes all the phases of the fort and an area around it in which traces of activity associated with its use will survive. The area respects the shape of the monument and measures 265m (NE-SW) x 160m transversely.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it is a well-preserved example of a multi-period fort which has the potential to enhance considerably our understanding not only of the development of defences in Iron Age forts but also of Iron Age settlement and economy. Its importance is increased by the proximity of a number of sites of similar date which together have the potential to greatly increase our understanding of the settlement, economy and development of the landscape in the Iron Age in this area.

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.