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

  SM4918_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600010826)

Summary

Description

The monument is a D-shaped fort and annexe of the Iron Age situated on the top of Chester Hill, and cultivation terraces on the flank of the hill. The very steep drop on the NE provides a natural defence to the fort. On the easier approach to the SW the fort is defended by a low, much-spread rampart fronted by a broad but now almost completely filled-in ditch. The earthwork encloses an area measuring 85m by 66m. On the SE side a large annexe is abutted. On the easy approach it is defended by two low, much spread banks, with a ditch between them. The annexe measures 69m by 65m. Although no surface traces of house stances remain, considerable remains are likely to survive below ground.

To the SE, on the S flank of the hill, are six prominent cultivation terrace; at the foot of the crag to the NE there are four slighter terraces. It is possible that these are contemporary with the fort, but more likely they are of medieval date. Cultivation terraces are virtually unknown in the area. The formation of terraces on a NE facing slope in this case points to considerable pressure on land use at the time of their construction. An area measuring a maximum of 310m WNW-ESE by 195m transversely is proposed for scheduling. The SW part of the area, in which a small part of the defences of the fort lies, is under arable cultivation.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as an example of a rare type; only one other example survives in the area, the two phase fort at Earns Heugh. Excavation of the monument would provide information of considerable value about the way of life of the inhabitants. The cultivation terraces have well preserved field characteristics. Excavation would provide information about land use in the medieval period, which is not preserved elsewhere in the area. The monument is of national importance to the theme of Iron Age settlement and defence, and to medieval agriculture.

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.