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

  SM90163_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014694)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a chambered cairn, excavated and capped by a modern roof. Although the cairn has been in the care of the Secretary of State since 1930, it was inadequately scheduled (the negotiations for Guardianship having overtaken completion of the scheduling documentation) and this proposal rectifies the omission.

The cairn was excavated by Captain Thomas in 1849. It was at the time of excavation a mound 38m long by 18m wide and 3m high. It is elongated NNE-SSW. Excavations revealed a long central chamber with 12 subsidiary chambers opening off it. Two of these sub-chambers were subdivided into two cells. The entrance passage was long, low and narrow, and entered from the SE, long, side of the cairn to the middle of the main internal chamber.

After the cairn came into State care, it was capped with a concrete roof, and entrance provided by a hatch in this. Several stones within the walls of the internal chambers are recorded as decorated, although some of these are now not identifiable. Decoration took the form of cup-marks and simple incised line designs. The only finds recorded from the interior are a few animal bones, probably recent in date but now lost.

The area to be scheduled is the same as that in State care. It is a rectangle 46m by 23m, aligned NNE-SSW, and is shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduling includes the modern concrete roof with access hole, but excludes the hatch, runners and ladder which provide access to the cairn interior.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a fine example of a Neolithic chambered burial cairn of unusual plan. It has the potential, through comparison with other cairns, to provide information about the architecture and purpose of such constructions. Although the interior has been emptied, the body of the cairn will seal deposits contemporary with the cairn's construction, and these have the potential to provide evidence for ceremonies and construction-related activities as well as the contemporary land-use and environmental conditions.

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.