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

  SM5804_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011701)

Summary

Description

The monument is an Iron Age fortified settlement, or dun, with later settlement overlying it, on an island in the N part of Loch Huna.

The dun has been an irregular oval on plan, some 48m NW-SE by 22m SW- NE, with a wall 1.5m thick, everywhere reduced to less than 1m in height. Entrances on the N and S may be original. A causeway, largely submerged, has run from the N end of the island towards the NW shore of the loch. The interior of the dun is obscured by the remains of a group of rectangular foundations, the latest of which may be of late- Medieval date.

A large central house 18m by 5.6m internally, with a

door facing ENE, is flanked by more slightly built outer buildings or enclosures on the W, NW and E sides. The area to be scheduled consists of the whole surface of the island

and a part of the loch bed to the N, to include the dun, later buildings and the S part of the causeway. It is an irregular oval, with maximum dimensions 80m NNW-SSE by 48m transversely, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a fine example of a particular Western Isle phenomenon, a prehistoric fortified site with either continuity of use into, or reuse in, the medieval period. It will contain important information relating to defensive settlement over a period of many centuries, and may shed light more generally upon the transition from Iron Age to modern society. It is known that duns were used into the 17th century as high-status dwelling places for the local chieftains, and this monument, although lacking in documentary evidence, appears to be a classic example of such a residence.

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.