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

  SM10337_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013623)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of a stone-built dun or prehistoric defensive dwelling, an enclosure and a small cairn, sited on top of a narrow, steep-sided rocky ridge 200m W of Barnluasgan, Knapdale.

The dun consists of a substantial drystone wall enclosing an oval area approximately 25m NE-SW by 12m NW-SE. The wall is up to 2m across and up to three courses of massive stonework can be seen, particularly in the SW. The adjoining enclosure appears to be secondary as it overlies the dun wall in the E and W. It encloses an area approximately 12m by 14m, and the drystone wall is of similar thickness (2m) to that of the dun.

The cairn lies about 5m north of the outer edge of the enclosure wall, on the very edge of the highest part of the ridge, and is approximately 3m in diameter and 1.5m in height. The dun is likely to be of later prehistoric date and, although the enclosure added to it is of uncertain date, it is very similar in size and construction to a group of other sub-circular enclosures lying along the same spine of rock (SAMs 3861, 7265, 3860). These are also thought to be later prehistoric settlements.

The cairn is of unknown date and function, although its position on top of the ridge, some distance away from the nearest cultivable land, makes it unlikely to be an agricultural clearance cairn. A modern drystone wall runs up and over the ridge, crossing the southernmost edge of the dun.

The area lies within forestry, but the main part of the monument has been left clear of trees. The monument is still relatively well-preserved and readily visible.

The area to be scheduled is irregular, measuring 50m along its long axis NNE-SSW, by a maximum of 25m transversely, to include the dun, enclosure and cairn, and an area around in which evidence for their construction and use may survive, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a later prehistoric settlement, possibly with several phases of use, which may include a ritual and funerary function. Although partially afforested, it retains considerable potential to provide important information about later prehistoric domestic architecture and, as part of a larger group of settlements along the same spine of land, information about wider settlement patterns and land-use in the area.

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.