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

  SM5098_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011002)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of the remains of a promontory fortification, within which is a ruined broch, both dating to the middle or late Iron Age (c. 200 BC to c. 600 AD). The promontory fort is formed by a substantial wall of large boulders running for c. 30m across the narrow neck of a promontory, with an entrance at the NE end.

Elsewhere low sea-cliffs provide a natural defence. Within the wall stands the broch, represented by a large mound of rubble, within which can be ascertained sufficient facing stones of a 4m thick, circular, wall to establish an overall diameter of 18m. The entrance has been on the E.

The area to be scheduled is irregular in plan, defined by the upper edge of the seacliff on the W, by a steep rocky scarp on the N, and on the E and S by a line 5m outside the outer face of the fort wall, giving maximum dimensions of 65m E-W by55m N-S, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance for the evidence it contains concerning the development of defensive architecture in the Iron Age. In particular, the presence of two distinct defensive elements which may or may not be contemporary is rarer in the Western Isles than elsewhere in the north and west of Scotland.

In addition, the interior of the broch, and the area between the broch and fort wall, are likely to contain archaeological deposits which, upon excavation, would yield important information concerning domestic economy and land-use during the period.

As one of a local group of Iron Age settlements of varied type, the monument has particular importance for studies of the range of social unit, and its architectural expression, occurring during that era.

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.