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

  SM4423_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600010340)

Summary

Description

The monument is a group of three separate stone settings likely to date from between 3000 BC and 1500 BC. The westernmost, known as the 'Crow Stones', comprises 18 small stones that form an oval shape on plan measuring 43m NW-SE by 33m transversely. A stone setting known as the 'Nine Stones' lies 760m to the ENE. It comprises nine stones of varied size that form an approximate circle 6.5m in diameter. The Kingside Burn stone setting lies 740m E of the Crow Stones and 300m S of the Nine Stones. It comprises seven stones set around the edge of a peat mound that measures about 3.8m E-W by 2.8m transversely by 0.3m high. Outlying stones lie 5m to the S and 10m to the N. The Crow Stones and the Nine Stones lie at 330m OD, the Kingside Burn setting at 305m OD. All the settings lie on S- or SE-facing ground; the Crow Stones and the Nine Stones have extensive views to the SE and S. The monument was first scheduled in 1987, but the documentation did not meet modern standards: the present rescheduling rectifies this.

There are three scheduled areas, corresponding to the three stone settings. They comprise: a circle of 70m diameter centred on the centre of the Crow Stones; a circle of 30m diameter centred on the centre of the Nine Stones; and a circle of 30m diameter centred on the centre of the Kingside Burn setting. The scheduling includes the three stone settings described above and areas around them within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment may survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduling specifically excludes an electricity pylon that stands about 20m S of the Kingside Burn stone setting.

Statement of National Importance

This monument is of national importance because it can significantly enhance understanding of late Neolithic and early Bronze Age ritual and funerary activity in SE Scotland. The Crow Stones and the Nine Stones, in particular, retain their field characteristics to a marked degree and are visible as oval or circular circuits of upstanding stones. Stone circles and stone settings are very rare in East Lothian, yet these examples have enhanced significance because they are also part of a localised cluster of similar remains concentrated in this area of the Lammermuir Hills. Our understanding of the distribution, character and meaning of late Neolithic and early Bronze Age ritual and funerary sites in SE Scotland would be diminished if this monument were lost or damaged.

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.