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

  SM4425_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600010342)

Summary

Description

The monuments comprises two settings of standing stones 600m apart. One is certainly, while the other is probably, the remains of a four stone setting of the type known as a 'four-poster', dating from the late Neolithic/early Bronze Age. The first stone setting comprises three sandstone blocks. A fourth stone probably stood at the NW, although there is no trace of this on the ground. 600m to the WNW lies the setting of two stones. The Old Name Book refers to four stones in 1864. By 1910 only two stones remained. One is a block of white sandstone and the other is of red sandstone. The deliberate use of red and white sandstone in patterns is a feature now recognised as an important element in the construction of late Neolithic/early Bronze Age ceremonial and funerary structures. Recent excavations on ceremonial monuments have shown that activity often extends well beyond the visible remains. A circular area with radius of 20m around both settings is therefore proposed for scheduling.

Statement of National Importance

These two monuments are of national importance because they are examples of a rare and ill-understood class. Although neither is complete and one shows signs of disturbance in its interior, considerable information on the use of the monuments and the areas around will survive. They are of national importance to the theme of prehistoric ceremonial and funerary activity. They are of particular interest because of their proximity to each other. There is no known example of 'four-posters' lying so close together in the SW.

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.