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

  SM5177_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011081)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises an island dun in Loch Scaridh on the W side of North Uist. The monument was first scheduled in 1991 but an inadequate area was included to protect all of the archaeological remains associated with the dun: the present rescheduling rectifies this.

On the turf-covered island (around 1.2m high) are the remains of a later, sub-rectangular building. A stone causeway, partly submerged, links the island with the mainland. On the mainland side, on either side of the causeway, are lines of stones at the water's edge, and, to the S, projecting into the water. These are best interpreted as measures to protect the entrance to the site. There is no dating evidence from the site, which is most probably dates from the later prehistoric period (around 2000 years ago).

The area to be scheduled is a rectangle 92m from E-W by 44m transversely, to include the dun, causeway, associated structures and an area around in which evidence relating to their construction and use may survive, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it is a well-preserved island dun and causeway with unusual associated structures at the point of access on the mainland. Presumed to be later prehistoric in date, with a long (although not necessarily continuous) occupation, the monument has high archaeological potential for the recovery of evidence relating to the construction and use of the site.

This would inform our understanding of later prehistoric society in the Western Isles and how this relates and compares to life elsewhere at this time. Significant waterlogged deposits are likely to survive within and around the visible remains, with the potential for the recovery of organic artefacts and structures, as well as high quality information relating to the past economy and the environment.

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.