Scheduled Monument

John's Wood,two burial moundsSM4709

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
11/08/1989
Type
Prehistoric ritual and funerary: mound (ritual or funerary rather than defensive or domestic)
Local Authority
Dumfries And Galloway
Parish
Eskdalemuir
NGR
NT 24257 03303
Coordinates
324257, 603303

Description

The monument comprises two burial mounds of the later Neolithic and earlier Bronze Age (some 3000 to 5000 years old) situated on a ridge to the N of the Esk valley. The western of the two is a substantial mound c. 7m in diameter and 0.5m high. Although it has been disturbed in the centre it is likely that burials will survive beneath it. It is situated immediately beside a kink in the fence which runs E-W across the ridge.

The eastern mound is less substantial but has escaped damage. It measures 6m in diameter and 0.3m to 0.5m in height. It lies 17m W of Cuttit Syke and 31m N of the fence which runs E-W across the ridge. Areas 20m in diameter are proposed for scheduling around both mounds to include the mounds themselves and areas around in which traces of activity associated with their use will survive.

Statement of National Importance

The monuments are of national importance as quite well preserved examples of burial mounds, a class rare in the area, which have the potential to enhance considerably our understanding of prehistoric burial practices. They are of particular importance because they lie close together; the few other mounds in the area lie in isolation.

References

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monuments as NT 20 SW 18 and 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.

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Printed: 11/10/2025 22:53