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

  SM407_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600003311)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a chambered burial cairn dating from the Neolithic period. The cairn was originally scheduled in 1953, but the area covered by the designation did not fully cover the monument. The current rescheduling rectifies this.

The cairn lies at 30m OD on a rising E-facing slope in gently sloping moorland. Almost all of the cairn material has been removed, revealing a burial chamber constructed from substantial stone slabs. From the traces of cairn material that survive on the site, the maximum dimensions of the cairn have been estimated at approximately 30m long by 20m wide, with a facade 18m wide by 8m deep.

The chamber is aligned NNE-SSW with three surviving compartments; it is possible that the chamber extended further S. Substantial stones lying to the N of the chamber probably represent the remains of an external cairn facade. A smaller burial cist that would also have been covered by the body of the cairn lies approximately 20m to the SW of the main chamber. Despite its denuded form, the cairn can be seen to fit into the local style of cairn building known as the Clyde type, characterised by rectilinear chambers with massive side slabs and subdivisions of lower stones.

The cairn chamber was cleared out in 1900 by Bryce. The dark, stony soil in the chamber contained a base layer of charcoal, and a number of artefacts were discovered including sherds of grooved ware and cinerary urn pottery, a stone macehead, and knives and other tools of flint.

The area to be scheduled is rectilinear, measuring 55m NNE-SSW by 40m, to include the remains described above and an area around and between them where material relating to the construction and use of the cairn may be expected to.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our understanding of prehistoric ritual and religion. Although superficially disturbed, the monument is likely to retain valuable archaeological evidence below the current ground level. The relationship between this monument and the large prehistoric ritual complex of Machrie Moor, just over 1 km to the NE is of particular interest.

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.