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

  SM10743_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013767)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a hillfort visible as upstanding earthworks and spread stone walls. Forts such as this are heavily defended settlements dating from the first millennium BC.

The monument lies between 350m-365m OD and occupies the summit of Heugh Law, where it commands extensive views over the surrounding landscape. The fort is roughly oval, defined by at least two ramparts, which enclose an area 95m ENE-WSW by 35m transversely. The inner rampart is the best preserved, surviving as a stony bank up to 2.5m wide and 0.4m high, while the outer rampart can be traced as a low spread bank or scarp.

The original entrance appears to have been on the E, where the defences have been reinforced with a third rampart inserted between the original two. Ditches representing the sites of two overlapping circular timber buildings survive in the SW of the interior, with possible traces of a third building nearby, immediately adjacent to the rampart. The only other visible feature in the interior is a possible cairn, almost 8m in diameter, crowning the summit of the hill.

The area to be scheduled comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is irregular on plan and has maximum dimensions of approximately 175m from ENE to WSW by 95m transversely, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to enhance our knowledge of prehistoric settlement, architecture, economy and social organisation.

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.