Scheduled Monument

North Gellan,settlement and field system 350m N ofSM5211

Status: Designated

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.

Summary

Date Added
22/08/1991
Type
Prehistoric domestic and defensive: field or field system; hut circle, roundhouse; settlement (if not assigned to any more specific type)
Local Authority
Aberdeenshire
Parish
Coull
NGR
NJ 49725 03013
Coordinates
349725, 803013

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a settlement and field system of the Bronze Age or Iron Age, some 2000 to 3000 years old. There are eight circular house stances between 9m and 14m in diameter and an associated field system marked by low banks and clearance heaps.

The fields vary in size from c 20m by 17m to c 60m by 30m. The area to be scheduled measures a maximum of 500m WNW-ESE by 350m transversely, as marked in red on the attached map. The modern public road and its boundary walls and fences, and the access road to Crossfold are specifically excluded.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance, as a very well preserved settlement and field system, which has the potential to enhance considerably our understanding of prehistoric settlement and agriculture. It is of particular importance because it is a rather larger settlement than is known elsewhere in the area.

References

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NJ 40 SE 5.

Bibliography:

Sir Ogston, A. (1931) The prehistoric antiquities of the Howe of Cromar, 79, Aberdeen.

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.

Images

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Printed: 10/04/2026 14:06