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

  SM6578_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600012462)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of the remains of a boundary wall incorporating the remains of at least two structures which may be small houses.

The wall, which is probably prehistoric in date, runs from the cliff edge to the W of Ulishield, along the S flank of the hill almost to the edge of the cliff at Jivy Geo, where it turns sharply to the S and runs downslope to the Burn of Wirvie, a total distance of 550m. It is formed of large upright blocks, and may once have been the footing of a turf or masonry wall. Near its west end it is partly submerged and eroded in a small loch, but the likely route of the wall through the loch is included for the sake of completeness.

After the sharp turn, the section of wall running downslope to the burn is more thickly covered with vegetation than the rest, resembling an earthen bank for part of its course. There are two expansions in the wall which appear to be contemporary, and may be ruined houses. One, the more westerly, is about 13.5m across overall, with an oval interior obscured by rubble but possibly having at least one alcove in the internal wall-face. The second is about 9m across and more ruinous.

The area to be scheduled consists of a strip 20m wide (10m on either side of the centre-line of the wall) and approximately 550m long, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract. The scheduled area is split into two parts by the road leading to the N end of the island.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as an unusual example of a boundary, which incorporates two possible dwellings or similar domestic structures. This combination of boundary and dwellings suggests that there may be considerable structural complexity preserved within the monument, with the potential to provide important information about the establishment and development of prehistoric agricultural settlement.

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.