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

  SM51_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600003009)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a stone circle dating to the Bronze Age, visible as two standing stone monoliths. It lies at the SW foot of Ord Hill, 230 m above sea level, in a NE-SW sloping cultivated field. The monument was first scheduled in 1934, however this area was inadequate; the rescheduling rectifies this.

The monument now comprises two granite boulders standing around 4 m apart on a WNW-ESE orientation. The NW stone is 1.7 m in height while the NE stone is 1.3 m in height. A 1902 survey noted another three stones that formed a part of the circle. Based on this, archaeologists provisionally classify the site as a recumbent stone circle, a ritual monument regarded as dating to the Bronze Age. Other remains of cairns and standing stones have been recorded in this field and the surrounding landscape.

The area to be scheduled is circular on plan, to include the remains described and an area around in which evidence of the construction and use of the stone circle may survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

Cultural Significance

The monument's archaeological significance can be expressed as follows:

Intrinsic characteristics: The monument is a well-preserved archaeological site. It is unexcavated and therefore has the potential to provide archaeological evidence of the religious practices of prehistoric peoples. The known period of use and quality of earlier survey documentation enhance this potential. Archaeological evidence for the remainder of circle is likely to survive beneath the ploughsoil.

Contextual characteristics: The site is a good example of a type known throughout Scotland. The monument may form part of a class of monument known as a recumbent stone circle which is unique to NE Scotland. It lies within a rich landscape of similar standing stones and circles.

Associative characteristics: The monument is the product of prehistoric peoples during the Bronze Age and demonstrates their religious and ritual practices.

National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to make a significant addition to the understanding of the past, in particular the religious and ritual practices of Bronze-Age peoples in Scotland. Its relatively good preservation, known period of use and quality of earlier documentation enhance this potential, as does the fact that it lies within a landscape of monuments that are likely to be related. The loss of this example would affect our ability to understand the Bronze Age in Scotland as well as this particular landscape.

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.