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

  SM5335_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011237)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of the remains of a broch, an Iron Age fortified settlement. The site is known as Dun Borve or Bhuirigh. The structure is sited on top of a rocky bluff, 50m above sea level, which affords a panoramic view of the Sound of Taransay. The broch is circular, with internal diameter 14m. Much of the lower courses of the outer wallface can be traced, the outer wall thickness being about 3m, and the wall is best preserved portion being in the W.

The wall height on the S side is 2.5m. The detail of the courtyard is difficult to ascertain as many of the stones have been disturbed, especailly on the SW. A small cairn surmounts the W wall face. On the W side of the dun there is a retaining wall 1.7m high. The remains of an entrance and an outer courtyard of stone (10.5m E-W) occur on the E side, where a sheiling has been built against the entrance.

There are also footings of circular sheiling huts to the NW and traces of a field wall and corn drying kiln to the SE. There is a cup marked stone to the E of the dun.

Surrounding rock outcrops have been quarried at various times. The area to be scheduled is irregular and is centred on the dun, measuring a maximum of 100m NW-SE by 50m NE-SW, to include the dun, shielings, walling, kiln and cup-marked stone, and an area around and between them in which evidence for their construction and use may survive, as indicated in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a good example of a defended settlement of Iron Age date. It preserves archaeological evidence within itself and its immediate environs for defensive architecture, domestic occupation, settlement evolution and rock art.

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.