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

  SM4628_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600010540)

Summary

Description

The monument is a fort of the Iron Age (2000 to 3000 years old) situated on the SW end of a spur overlooking the Raughy Burn. The fort is oval in plan, situated on sloping ground, and defended by two ramparts and ditches. The defences are best preserved at the NE end where, to cut off the level approach from the spur a massive inner rampart, ditch and counterscarp rampart have been constructed. The defences at the SW end are also well-preserved while those on the NW side survive as terraces. On the SE side the defences have been levelled by ploughing. Within the fort are many circular house platforms and a large scoooped area in the NE quadrant appears to be a later scooped homestead. A scooped area between this and the NE defences may be the remains of a second scooped homestead. Part of the interior of the fort has been damaged by recent small quarries.

The fort measures approximately 170m NE-SW by 100m transversely overall. The area to be scheduled includes the fort and an area around it in which traces of activity associated with its use are likely to survive. The area respects the shape of the site and measures 205m NE-SW by 130m transversely.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it is a well preserved example of an Iron Age fort and multi-period settlement which has the potential to enhance our understanding of monuments of this type. Its importance is increased by the proximity of many sites of similar date which, taken together, have the potential to greatly increase our understanding of the settlement, economy and development of the landscape in the Iron Age in this area.

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.