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

  SM4798_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600010706)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of the remains of an extensive agricultural settlement known as Glengeith.

The settlement and its earthwork enclosures are located on either side of the Glengeith Burn. Upstanding remains include an earthwork platform roughly 26m square which probably contained a small homestead within its defenses, this structure is likely to indicate occupation in the late pre-historic/early medieval period. Subsequent use of the site has left a variety of surface features which demonstrate how it has been altered by agricultural use: areas of rig and furrow overlapping earlier earthwork field boundaries indicate the chronological depth of settlement at Glengeith.

110m to the ESE of the homestead are the remains of turf-covered, sub-rectangular buildings and a possible kiln. On the W side of the burn, opposite the homestead, are later remains probably dating from the late 16th/early 17th centuries. These consist of the remains of a defensive farmhouse of the type known as a "bastle house."

Originally it would have comprised a lower vaulted byre and an upper floor containing living quarters. Only the ground floor of the partly buried structure survives. Aligned N-S, the building measured 14m N-S by 5.2m. The S part of the bastle has been incorporated in a modern lambing shelter built up from the remaining courses of the bastle; the N portion survives as a turf covered platform of stone and mortar.

Within the shelter a section of original vaulting, built of rough whinstone slabs cemented together, can be seen at ground level on the E side. The E wall of the shelter/bastle is continuous with a later field boundary wall. 30m to the E of the bastle is a series of interrelated features: small sub-rectangular enclosures, banks overriden by later rig and another rectangular building of uncertain date. To the N are three large "out-field" enclosures.

The area to be scheduled is irregular, measuring a maximum of 630m NE-SW by 450m NW-SE, to include the homestead, bastle house and agricultural field remains, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The modern roof and supporting structure of the lambing shelter are specifically excluded.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a rare example of a small fortified site of late prehistoric date constructed in a style reminiscent of the later mottes, but in essence a small earthen fort. It affords the opportunity to compare strategies for defensive construction between prehistoric and medieval periods. In addition, since the mound or platform appears to be constructed by the superimposition of earth and rubble onto the site, there will be a sealed ground surface below it, and within the mound itself will be evidence for the constructional methods employed in its creation.

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.