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

  SM5871_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011768)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of a promontory on the S shore of the Loch of Stenness, enclosed by a double bank and ditch. It may be of either prehistoric or Viking date.

The fort is a flat promontory, lying a little above the waters of the loch. On the S and SE sides it is bounded by a double ditch and rampart. Both ditches are partially cut into bedrock, and the ramparts are apparently formed from the upcast. These features are best preserved on the E, where there is a clear entrance causeway near to the loch at the NE end of the circuit.

At this end the line of the rampart facing can be seen to continue some distance out into the loch. At the W end of the defences, past cultivation has reduced their profile. The enclosed area is almost featureless exept for a few scattered stones and some paved small areas which are possibly recent stack-bases.

The monument is capable of three interpretations: it may be a Neolithic ritual enclosure, akin to a henge; it may be an Iron Age defended settlement, or it may be a Viking "ness-taking", a primary settlement in the process of the colonisation of Orkney in the early ninth century AD.

The area to be scheduled is the NW end of the promontory, largely bounded to the S by a fence running WSW-ENE and on the E by a fence running NNW- SSE. It is bounded on the N and W by the shore of the Loch of Stenness. The area has maximum dimensions of 145m NNW-SSE by 95m, as marked in red on the accompanying map. All modern fences are excluded.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a rare example of a defended loch promontory. It is possible to advance three separate explanations of its date and purpose; without excavation none can be discounted, and the site should be preserved to permit further research. As a Neolithic ritual enclosure it would form part of the Stenness-Brodgar landscape of international importance, and the juxtaposition of a henge-like structure and the chambered cairn of Unstan is of particular note.

As an Iron Age fortified site it would be unique on this scale in the Northern Isles, and would extend the repertoire of defensive type considerably. As a Viking ness-taking it would once again have an international significance, as such sites are extremely scarce throughout the Viking world.

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.