Scheduled Monument

Setter,chambered cairn 470m NE of,Seli VoeSM5716

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
06/08/1993
Type
Prehistoric ritual and funerary: chambered cairn
Local Authority
Shetland Islands
Parish
Sandsting
NGR
HU 29538 48422
Coordinates
429538, 1148422

Description

The monument consists of the remains of a prehistoric chambered burial cairn. The cairn, which is of the Shetland "heel-shaped" type, stands on a small rocky spur. The majority of the small stones which made up the body of the cairn have been removed. However, the larger stones which made up the foundation of a concave facade (facing SE) and parts of the entrance passage and inner chamber are preserved "in situ". The cairn is 7m SE-NW by 8m NE-SW.

An unusual feature is the incorporation of a stretch of bedrock outcrop into the facade, forming its S terminal.

The area to be scheduled is circular, 60m in diameter, to include the cairn, the top of the spur on which it stands and an area around in which evidence relating to its construction and use may survive, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as an example of a typical Shetland heel-shaped cairn which displays a rather unusual constructional device, incorporating bedrock in the facade. This relationship between natural site characteristics and the location and orientation of a cairn is relatively rare, and further study may throw light upon the inter-relationship of monument type and setting. In addition, the cairn, although robbed, will seal below it soils from which evidence of contemporary environment conditions and agricultural practices may be recovered.

References

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as HU 24 NE 4.

Reference:

Henshall, A. S. (1963) Chambered Tombs of Scotland, 1, 174, No. 37.

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.

Images

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Printed: 22/03/2026 23:05