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

  SM11725_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014077)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a prehistoric hut circle and field system situated in heather moorland on a gently-sloping terrace to the E of Deskry Water.

The hut circle, which represents the remains of a roundhouse dating to about 2000 - 3000 years ago, is visible as a circular heather covered bank measuring 14m in diameter and up to 0.3m high. The interior measures about 8m across. A gap in the bank on the N marks the position of the entrance to the roundhouse. The remains of a contemporary field system can be seen as a low bank some 50m in length by 2m wide and a group of approximately 20 small clearance cairns which are located to the E and NE of the hut circle.

The area to be scheduled is an irregular polygon on plan, to include the remains described above and an area around them in which evidence relating to their construction and use may survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

Cultural Significance

The monument's archaeological significance can be expressed as follows:

Intrinsic characteristics: The monument is in a good state of preservation. Non-intensive land use in the area of the monument has resulted in the survival of visible upstanding features. In addition, it is likely that archaeological deposits continue to exist within the hut circle and the area of the field system. The monument therefore has considerable potential to enhance our understanding of later prehistoric roundhouses and the daily lives and farming practices of the people who occupied them.

Contextual characteristics: The monument is a good example of what may have once been a numerous class. We may enhance our understanding of regional variation in later prehistoric settlement by comparing local architectural features in hut circles in this region with those of other prehistoric roundhouses in other parts of Scotland. This hut circle occupies a prominent position in the landscape that commands good views down Deskry Water towards Strath Don in the N. The N position of the hut circle's entrance is unusual. This suggests that the people who lived here may have deliberately built their dwelling facing in this direction to take advantage of these open views to the N.

National Importance: The monument is of national importance because it is a well-preserved example of a roundhouse situated within a prehistoric landscape. The roundhouse survives in good condition and there is good potential for the survival of archaeological evidence relating to its construction and use, which includes the unusual feature of a N-facing doorway. The adjacent field system enhances its archaeological potential. The monument occupies a prominent position in the landscape, and would have been visible from a wide area of the prehistoric landscape in which people conducted their day-to-day activities. Its loss would affect our ability to understand this landscape.

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.