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

  SM4355_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600010272)

Summary

Description

The monument is a stone circle which includes a standing stone, at least 14 recumbent stones and a further 7 or more socket holes for stones, distributed fairly regularly on the circumference of a true circle of diameter around 41m. The area around the stones and within the circle will contain features relating to past activities associated with it. The circle is intervisible with parts of the complex of megalithic sites round Callanish and Garynahine. It will thus have had some relationship to them in the ritual activities of the early prehistoric period, and can be counted as part of the same complex. Most known archaeological sites in Lewis and Harris are found near the coast. Achmore is one of the very few truly inland sites.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as it has considerable implications for our understanding of early prehistoric use of the interior of Lewis, where it now seems likely that more sites exist concealed below peat. Achmore is thus of importance in its own right as a major stone circle, and important as part of the Callanish complex. It has a strong contribution to the theme of utilisation of the interior of the Western Isles in the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age, to the themes of archaeoastronomy, and to studies of the development of stone rings. It has particular importance in extending the range of types of stone rings in the Callanish complex.

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.