Scheduled Monument

Rubha nan Sidhean,cupmarked rocks and fish trap,KirkibostSM5410

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
09/10/1992
Type
Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cupmarks or cup-and-ring marks and similar rock art, Secular: fish trap
Local Authority
Na h-Eileanan Siar
Parish
Uig
NGR
NB 19149 33782
Coordinates
119149, 933782

Description

The monument consists of a series of cup-shaped carvings on rocks just below high water mark and a drystone built fish-trap, also lying mainly below high water mark.

The cupmarks, 8 in number, range from 9cm to 16cm in diameter and 2cm to 8cm deep. They are distributed over a distance of 3.75m on an E- facing rock face just below high water mark of spring tides. A short stretch of rubble walling allows access at all but the highest tides.

To the W, the small inlet is cut off by a rubble wall over 20m long, which is a simple but effective tidal fish trap, of considerable age although regularly repaired until recently. There is probaly no link bewteen the two elements in terms of date, but their neighbouring location argues for a joint scheduling.

The area to be scheduled is irregular, consisting of a zone between high and low water mark of spring tides plus the S end of the promontory, Rubha nan Sidhean, to include the cupmarked rock, the short access causeway and the fish trap, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a fortuitous pairing of two interesting features. The cup marked rock is a relatively rare phenomenon in the Western Isles, probably of Bronze Age date and of unknown significance. Its position, below high water mark, testifies to ongoing coastal submergence, and study of its form and location may, eventually, contribute to an understanding of the purpose of such carvings. The fish trap is a fine example of a type formerly widespread but now rare, demonstrating the simple but effective manipulation of natural forces to produce a ready food supply with minimal effort.

References

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NB13SE 8.

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: 27/07/2025 10:33