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

  SM401_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600003305)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a prehistoric stone circle. The monument was originally scheduled in 1957 and was rescheduled in 1963, but the area covered by the designation did not relate accurately to the remains on the ground: the present rescheduling rectifies this.

The monument comprises four massive round-topped granite boulders, enclosing an area some 5m in diameter. They are set on the NW, W, SW and SE, and stand 0.86m, 0.50m, 1.16m and 0.83m in height respectively. The SW stone is marked on its top by two shallow cup-shaped depressions, joined by a groove 3mm deep and 30mm wide. An outlying stone, situated some 24m to the SSE, which is probably associated with the circle, stands up to 1.2m in height. There are five small portable stones placed within the setting to form an approximate circle, but these are undoubtedly later additions and not part of the original structure.

In 1861, a stone cist in the centre of the main stone circle was opened and found to contain black earth and fragments of burnt bone. Flint flakes and a flint implement were also recovered. There is now no sign of the cist.

The area to be scheduled comprises the remains described and an area around them in which related material may be expected to survive. It is irregular in plan, with maximum dimensions of 40m from NW to SE by 25m transversely.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of prehistoric ritual and funerary practices.

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.