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

  SM10582_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013716)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a fort of later prehistoric date.

The monument lies on the level summit of a rocky stack about 300m S of the coastal promontory known as Dun Haunn. The position is one of great natural strength, being protected by sheer rock cliffs, ranging from 8m on the S and E to more than 30m on the N and W. The fort, which is roughly sub- rectangular in plan, measures about 40m by 28m internally. No defences were needed around the seaward edge of the stack, where there are near vertical cliff faces, but traces of rubble walling can be seen around the inland cliff face to the SE and SW.

The entrance lay on the S at the head of a natural cleft in the rock, about 1.5m wide; the gap in the wall-debris lying opposite an even narrower cleft at the SE angle has probably been caused by recent disturbance. Much of the interior is occupied by rocky outcrops. Below the main rock stack is a level grassy platform, defined by an outer natural rock outcrop, which appears to have been enhanced in places. This platform is included in the scheduling, as it may represent an outer work to the fort.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related material may be expected to survive. It is irregular in shape and measures a maximum of 89m NNW-SSE by 92m WSW-ENE, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to an understanding of later prehistoric defended settlement and economy. Its importance is increased by its very good state of preservation and by its proximity to other monuments of potentially contemporary date, for example the dun at Dun Haunn, 450m to the north.

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.