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

  SM11022_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013842)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a cairn of prehistoric date, visible as an upstanding earth-and-stone mound. Cairns such as this are funerary and ritual monuments built during the Early Bronze Age (c.2500-1500BC).

The monument lies at around 120m OD, in a prominent position on the summit of Law Hill where it commands extensive views of the surrounding area and also forms an important feature in the local landscape. The cairn is composed of earth and stones, measures approximately 28m in diameter and stands around 4m tall. Although a large section of the N side of the cairn has been removed, sufficient material remains for the monument to retain both its archaeological importance and the field characteristics which make it such a prominent local feature. Local tradition, recorded in the 19th century, states that the cairn was a site of execution in medieval times. While it is possible that this was the case, it is equally likely that the name 'Law Hill', meaning hill of the cairn or mound, has been misunderstood to give a spurious interpretation to the site's function.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related material may be expected to be found. It is circular in shape, measuring 40m in diameter and centred on the cairn, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance for its potential to contribute to our understanding of prehistoric ritual and funerary practices. It may be expected to contain funerary deposits and evidence relating to its mode of construction and use, and may also preserve evidence for contemporary landuse and environmental conditions.

The importance of this monument is further enhanced by its relationship to similar sites nearby: the cairn is one of a group of massive prehistoric burial mounds located in coastal Banffshire.

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.