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

  SM5676_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011574)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a chambered cairn of Neolithic date, belonging to the group known as Clyde cairns.

The cairn appears to be of elongated oval shape, with minimum dimensions of 25m east-west by 15m although much of it is now grassed over and its precise shape and margins are difficult to ascertain. The cairn survives to a height of approximately 1.5m above the surrounding ground surface, and this, together with quantities of loose stone on its upper surface, make it a clearly visible feature in the landscape.

Five chambers, defined by large slabs, are visible

in the body of the cairn. One of these is set in the E end, with two others being set into each of the N and S sides. Each chamber measures approximately 2.2m by 1m and contains loose rubble. These chambers were investigated during partial excavation of the monument in 1922, although earlier disturbance appears to have removed any artefactual material which may have originally been present within

them.

The area to be scheduled comprises the visible extent of the monument together with an area around it in which traces of activities related to its construction and use may survive. The area so defined is rectangular, measuring approximately 60m ENE-WSW by 30m as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as one of the most visible and best-preserved chambered cairns of Clyde type. Although the chambers have been substantially cleared of archaeological deposits, the cairn itself has the potential to provide important evidence relating to its construction. Evidence may also survive, under and around the visible monument, relating to earlier activity on the site and any earlier phases of cairn construction which might have preceded the visible structure. Additionally, material sealed by the cairn has the potential to preserve evidence of the Neolithic and earlier environment of the area.

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.