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

  SM639_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600003528)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a stone circle of prehistoric date, visible as a series of prostrate stones. The monument was first scheduled in 1939, but an inadequate area was included to protect all of the archaeological remains. The present rescheduling rectifies this.

The monument is situated in the glen of the Water of Milk in a field of improved pasture at about 195m OD. In 1912 the site was recorded as having seven or eight stones remaining of an original twelve, four of which were still upright. The eighth stone existed as little more than a point protruding through the turf to the NE of the centre of the circle. In 1970 an outlying stone was noted 10m to the N, but it is impossible to say if it formed part of the original circle.

The remains today consist of at least seven stones with the possible remains of another two. All the stones are prostrate ? two are lying in hallows and of those remaining many are partially buried, all are broken, some of them into several fragments. The distance between opposing stones on the perimeter varies from 19m to 23m. Although the site has suffered damage over the years, other evidence of the circle will survive beneath the ground surface.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related material may be expected to be found. It is a slightly irregular round shape measuring 40m N-S by 48m E-W. The outlying stone to the N still exits but is excluded from the schedule.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to an understanding of prehistoric ritual practices.

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.