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

  SM4499_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600010414)

Summary

Description

The monument is an earthwork, probably a motte of the Middle Ages situated on a knoll overlooking the Blackadder water. The knoll has been made more prominent by scarping of the sides below which a ditch has been dug and the spoil used to build an external bank. The entrance to the site is from the NE. The summit of the knoll is a narrow oval with two scoops cut into it (probably modern disturbance).

Although the summit is not large and is irregular, the position and shape of the monument strongly suggests that it is a motte of the 11th to 13th centuries AD. At the time of visit there was a small quarry, cut into the W side of the monument, which had damaged part of the external bank. The exposed section showed a well-preserved old topsoil under the bank of re-deposited subsoil.

The upper surface showed signs of burning and a burnt potsherd was found in this layer. The site measures c. 70m (NE-SW) by 60m transversely overall. The area to be proposed for scheduling includes the earthwork and an area around it in which traces of activity associated with its use will survive. The area is a rectangle measuring 100m (NE-SE) by 95m transversely.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it is a well-preserved and unusual example of a motte of the Medieval period, which has the potential to enhance our understanding of the settlement and economy of this area in the earlier Middle Ages.

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.