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

  SM1426_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600004176)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a broch dating probably from the Iron Age (between around 600 BC and AD 400). It is visible as a substantial turf-covered mound, with part of the broch tower's walls still visible on the N and S sides, surviving up to 2m in height. Limited excavations in the early 19th century revealed that the broch is approximately 18.3m in external diameter, within walls 4m thick. A Pictish silver hoard was recovered from within the broch, but the artefacts have since been lost. Two skeletons were also recorded, one apparently accompanied by two Viking gold rings. Part of the interior of the broch with its intramural cells is still traceable today. The buried remains of an external defensive ditch and further settlement surround the broch tower. The broch is located next to the coast, at about 5m above sea level. It has extensive views in all directions, but especially to the N out over Eynhallow Sound. The monument was first scheduled in 1936, but the documentation did not meet modern standards: the present amendment rectifies this.

The scheduled area is irregular on plan and includes the remains described above and an area around them within which evidence relating to the monument's construction and use is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

This monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to make a significant addition to our understanding of the past, in particular of Iron Age society in Orkney and the function, use and development of brochs. This is an impressive and well-preserved broch mound in a rich archaeological landscape. By analogy with excavated brochs elsewhere in Orkney, and as confirmed by the 19th-century exploratory excavations, this monument retains its structural characteristics to a marked degree. The broch is likely to have a complex development sequence. It may overlie earlier remains and there is evidence for later re-use of the site, as indicated by the discovery of a Pictish hoard and at least one Viking burial. Its importance is enhanced by the presence of defensive outworks, rare on Orcadian brochs, and because of its proximity to several other brochs along the Evie coastline, with high potential to study the relationship between them. The monument is part of a landscape containing an exceptional concentration of important archaeological sites testifying to social and economic change over several millennia. The loss of the monument would significantly diminish our future ability to appreciate and understand the development, use and re-use of brochs, and the nature of Iron Age society, economy and social hierarchy, in Orkney and further afield.

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.