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

  SM5240_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011143)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of an island dun and the causeways which link it to a nearby island and to the S and N shores of Loch Caravat. The dun is an oval enclosure formed by a 1m thick wall of drystone construction, now standing no more than 1.5m high, and generally reduced to less than 0.8m. The dun has three possible entrances: two close together at the W end and a third at the NE end.

There are low foundations of indistinct plan within the wall of the dun, just inside each of the entrances. A partially submerged causeway links the island on which the dun stands to a larger island to the W, and this island in turn is linked by causeways both to the N and to the S shores of the loch.

The N causeway has been kept in repair and stands above the water, the S causeway being almost totally submerged. The areas to be scheduled consist of the whole of the small island on which the dun stands together with a strip 10m wide centred on each of the three causeways, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument consists of a fine example of a slightly defended island dun and associated causeway system, serving to demonstrate the former settlement potential of a now barren moorland area. It is one of a class of lightly enclosed settlements in the lochs of the Uists and Benbecula about which little is known. It is probable that the isolated location will have allowed archaeological deposits to have survived without disturbance, offering the possibility of investigation of the domestic life and economy of the Iron Age or subsequent inhabitants.

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.