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

  SM3894_Legal Docs

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600015526)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the extensive remains of a charcoal production area likely to date to the 18th or 19th century AD but which may have earlier origins. It is visible as a group of circular platforms cut into the hillside. The monument is located  among ancient woodland and modern coniferous forestry on the northeast-facing slopes of Dunloskin Wood at between 50m and 100m above sea level.

Forty circular platforms have been recorded on the hillside. Many of the platforms are cut into the hillslope and these display slight rear and front scarps creating a relatively level platform. The platforms vary in size from 5.2m in diameter to 10m by 8.5m. At one of the platforms archaeological investigation recovered material dating to the Neolithic period.

The scheduled area comprises three polygons - an irregular polygon, a clipped circle and circle on plan, to include the remains described above and an area around them 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 scheduled area specifically excludes the above-ground remains of all modern boundary features, interpretation signage and the top 300mm of access tracks to allow for their continued maintenance. The monument was first scheduled in 1976 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 an inherent potential to make a significant addition to our understanding of the past, in particular, charcoal production as part of the industrial process of smelting iron. The remains of this area of charcoal production survive to a marked degree with forty individual platforms recorded in an area of surviving ancient woodland. The origin of at least one of the platforms as a Neolithic house site, demonstrates that this site may have origins in pre-history with several periods of reuse, and adds considerably to the monument's significance. The overall archaeological footprint of the monument is intact and there is high potential for survival of the accumulated remains of activities taking place here. The spaces in between the platforms are equally important as they are likely to contain archaeological deposits indicating the ways in which this woodland was managed and the charcoal produced and subsequently moved. It therefore has significant potential to help us understand more about the management of timber from woodlands, as a key component of iron smelting and the contribution it made to industrial expansion in Scotland. The loss of the monument would significantly diminish our future ability to appreciate and understand a key element of Scotland's industrial past and changes to the rural landscape during the 18th and 19th centuries.

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.