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

  SM4626_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600010538)

Summary

Description

The monument is a group of three burial cairns of the earlier Bronze Age situated on the summit of Dirrington Great Law; they are about 3500 years old. The westernmost cairn measures about 17m in diameter and 1.8m in height within an irregular ditch. The easternmost cairn measures about 15.5m in diameter and 1.8m in height. These two cairns closely resemble the large cairn standing on the summit of Dirrington Little law, to the SW. Between the two large cairns lies a third cairn, measuring 7.5m in diameter and 0.5m in height, adjacent to an Ordnance Survey triangulation pillar. This cairn can be compared with the small cairn on the S flank of Dirrington Little Law.

An area measuring 90m WSW-ENE by 50m transversely is proposed for scheduling to include the three cairns and an area around them in which traces of contemporary burial and ceremonial activities are likely to survive. The fabric of the OS pillar is specifically excluded from the scheduling.

Statement of National Importance

The monument, as a group of well preserved burial cairns, is rare in this area. The two larger cairns are particularly unusual because of their size. The cairns and the area around them are of national importance to the theme of early Bronze Age burial and ceremonial practices.

The two types of cairn on the summit of the Law may represent burial at two different times in the earlier Bronze Age. Comparison of the burial deposits in these cairns, and in the related cairns on the summit and flank of the Little Law would provide information of condsiderable importance to the study of the development of prehistoric burial.

The cairns are of particular importance because of their prominent position; this may reflect the high status in their society of the people buried there. Additionally, study of the old land surfaces covered by the cairns would provide information of national importance to the theme of prehistoric land use.

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.