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

  SM5124_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011028)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of the well-preserved remains of a galleried dun of middle Iron Age date (c.200 BC to c.200 AD) situated on the top of a small rocky hill. The dun is a circular drystone fortification, 14.5m in overall diameter with walls on average 5m thick. The walls contain a narrow gallery running around most of the circuit, except on the E side, where the entrance to the dun is located.

A low platform 3m across on the N side is the only ancillary structure visible outside the dun.The dun was excavated, although not totally cleared, in 1953-5, and has been filled with rubble to help preserve it. The excavation revealed a second period of occupation in the late Iron Age (c. 400 AD to c. 600 AD).

The area to be scheduled is circular, 30m in diameter, to include the dun, the outer platform and a small area around in which traces of contemporary activity may survive below the surface. The area to be scheduled is marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a fine field example of an Iron Age galleried dun, in dimensions and characteristics transitional between brochs and duns, and therefore of importance for understanding the full architectural variety of such structures. Although largely excavated, it is likely that important deposits survive around the dun and below its walls, containing evidence, accessible to excavation, regarding contemporary domestic economy and land-use. It also has importance as one of a local group of Iron Age settlements of varied type, offering an opportunity to examine a range of possibly contemporary sites with differing architecture and social status.

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.