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

  SM10790_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013778)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a settlement enclosure and building footings visible as upstanding earthworks. The monument shows evidence for several phases of use dating from the later prehistoric period to the early modern period.

The settlement lies at around 220m OD, on a low rise immediately to the E of the confluence of Braides Burn and Earshaig Lake. The largest element of the site is a roughly oval prehistoric settlement enclosure defined by a stony bank which survives up to 5m wide and 0.6m high with an entrance on the S side. The interior of the enclosure, which measures a maximum of 34m NW-SE by 29m transversely, shows no obvious traces of contemporary buildings but does contain two quarry scoops and the remains of a small cairn.

The enclosure is accompanied on the S and E sides by a group of at least 4 building platforms with associated yards and banks. These platforms would have been occupied by sizeable timber houses. The relationship between the house platforms and the enclosure is not clear on the ground and it is uncertain which was built first. A number of subrectangular buildings of comparatively recent date overlie some of the prehistoric remains, and a double kiln has been built into an enclosure bank on the SW tip of the site close to the burn. Surrounding features, such as earthwork banks and clearance cairns, could date from any or several of the phases of use of the site.

The area to be scheduled is irregular in shape, to include the remains described above and an area around within which related features are likely to survive. It measures a maximum of 130m E-W by 100m N-S, as shown in red on the attached map. The W side of the scheduled area is defined by the E edge of the stream.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to enhance our knowledge of settlement and farming practices over a long period of history. The relationship between the different elements comprising this monument is of particular interest and importance.

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.