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

  SM13419_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014504)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the well-preserved and extensive remains of an historic rural settlement, extending over an area of around 13.5 hectares. The settlement includes the remains of two farmsteads, various associated enclosures, a sheepfold and extensive areas of rig-and-furrow cultivation, mostly enclosed by an upstanding head dyke. The monument is located at Bight of Mousland, on an area of sloping ground dissected by the Burn of Selta, at about 50m above sea level, some 250m from the exposed W coast of Orkney Mainland.

The head dyke encloses an area measuring approximately 385m N-S by 420m W-E. It is visible as an earthen bank with edge-set stones in places, standing 0.5m high on average. Extensive areas of rig-and-furrow are visible within the head dyke, aligned mainly NE-SW or NW-SE. A roofless farmstead building with three associated enclosures lies some 130m N of the Burn of Selta, immediately outside and to the N of the head dyke. The building measures 6.6m SW-NE by 4.9m transversely and is constructed of roughly-hewn sandstone blocks laid in regular courses; the joints are pinned with small stones and clay-bonded. Another farmstead, of similar build to the first, lies around 130m S of the Burn of Selta. The main building is aligned E-W and divided into two rooms, within walls standing up to 1m high and 0.7m thick. The foundations of another structure of similar build are adjoined at right angles on the S elevation. The scant remains of a further small structure lie immediately to the W. Near the centre of the enclosed area, a rectilinear stone-built sheepfold overlies an earlier enclosure which survives as a circular platform enclosed by a turf bank. A probable prehistoric cairn lies some 150m WNW of the S farmstead.

The scheduled area is irregular on plan to include the remains described above and an area around them within which evidence relating to the monument's use, re-use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduling specifically excludes the concrete sluice across the Burn of Selta and the upstanding elements of the stone building adjacent to the sluice to the SW. It also excludes the above-ground elements of all modern post-and-wire fences to allow for their maintenance.

Statement of National Importance

The Burn of Selta farmsteads and field systems are of national importance as a well-preserved and rare example of an intact historic rural settlement and farming landscape in Orkney. The monument has high potential to make a significant contribution to our understanding of the past, particularly to our understanding of rural vernacular buildings, society, agricultural practices and economy in Orkney from at least the post-medieval period (and possibly earlier) through to the 19th century. There is good potential for the survival of important archaeological deposits and environmental evidence that can inform our understanding of the chronology and development of the farmsteads, land management and agricultural practices. This monument is a rare example of its type in Orkney and is impressive for its completeness, in particular for the survival of extensive and well-preserved remains of rig-and-furrow within a clearly defined area. The loss of the monument would affect our ability to understand historic rural settlement and land-use in Orkney and across Scotland.

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.