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

  SM5656_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011554)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a site which has been identified as the former site of the principal fairs and markets of Mull, held there in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, if not earlier. It is situated in a forestry clearing immediately NE of a conspicuous flat-topped rock outcrop.

About 50 turf-walled buildings are distributed in two main groups: the smaller occupies ground sloping NE from the rock outcrop; the remainder are dispersed over the summit of a low knoll separated by marshy ground from the smaller group.

The turf-built structures are of a consistent and distinctive plan: a typical example is rectangular in plan and measures 6.1m in length by 2.7m over walls 0.6m in thickness; in many cases one end-wall is represented by a substantial mound of turf and stone, sometimes with internal facing stones in situ, while the other end is left open to provide an entrance.

The narrow central space has a central bench or ridge of turf about 0.3m thick and running the entire length of the building. Most of the entrances face downhill away from the prevailing wind and several of the buildings are placed so as to gain shelter from their neighbours. These buildings were the footings of tents or huts. The superstructures would probably have been of blankets, as at other fairgrounds.

The area to be scheduled measures 195m from SW to NE by 125m transversely, to include the fairground and an area around in which associated remains may survive, as marked in red on the attached map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it is a rare and fragile type of monument with well-defined field characteristics. It has the potential to provide information about post-medieval temporary or seasonal habitation and associated activities at fairgrounds or meeting places.

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.