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

  SM3498_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600016017)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a grain drying kiln and associated structures likely to date to the 17th century or earlier and three earthfast boulders bearing rock art motifs, likely to date from the fourth millennium BC and later. The monument is visible as a small complex of turf-covered drystone structures and earthworks and three separate carved surfaces together with associated buried features and deposits. The monument is located on the low-lying south side of Gleann Beag or Hell's Glen at approximately 135m above sea level in a partly open area of mature conifer woodland.

The conical-shaped kiln is approximately 6m in outer diameter (at its highest point) by 1.2m deep. It has a drystone wall construction and the interior has been cleared and exposed. To the south of the kiln and on the north side of the adjacent stream there is a scooped, rectangular area bounded by a low, obscured line of rubble 5m long and up to 0.5m thick. Two linear banks of turf-covered stones to the south west of the kiln indicate the position of further structural remains. The southernmost of these banks extends for at least 20m westwards into the plantation where there is a substantial rectangular building, approximately 9m long by 7m wide – its drystone walling survives up to five courses high. In the open, unplanted area to the south of the kiln are two earthfast boulders – the easternmost (and closest to the kiln) bears approximately 39 cups most of which are located along the edge of its upper surface, the westernmost bears approximately 25 cups across its upper surface, split into two groups either side of a central cleft in the rock surface. A third carved surface is located on a low outcropped panel at the north west corner of the site, 20m north east of the rectangular building. It bears 9 shallow cups and a deep basin with a channel. This basin maybe a 'knocking stone' and could represent the later re-use of the outcrop in the processing of cereals.

The scheduled area includes the remains described above and an area around within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The monument was first scheduled in 1974 but an inadequate area was included to protect all of the archaeological remains: the present amendment rectifies this.

Statement of National Importance

This monument is of national importance because it has inherent potential to contribute to our understanding of the past, in particular pre-improvement agricultural processes and practice. The remains, especially the corn drying kiln survive to a marked degree and the presence of prehistoric rock art on boulders within the site adds to the monument's importance. The visible remains include the low-lying ruins of a well-preserved kiln, rectangular building, linear structural features and possible mill as well as three carved panels, collectively containing over 60 cup marks and a later bowl feature. Buried archaeological features and deposits are also expected to survive. The monument demonstrates the changing significance placed on the location by various communities in the past. Its position along a key routeway, joining the Atlantic west coast of Scotland and its sea lochs with the interior, adds to its cultural significance. The loss of the monument would significantly diminish our ability to appreciate and understand Scotland's prehistoric past and its pre-improvement agricultural development.

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.