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

  SM5250_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011153)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of a dun situated on top of a rock stack known as Caisteal a'Mhorair. The grass covered rock pinnacle supporting the fortification rises approximately 20m above the sand on the S side of Traigh Geiraha. The flat oval summit (about 18m ESE-WNW by 7m) is surrounded by a wall c.1.5m wide and 0.4m high. A large part of the summit is occupied by the foundations of a rectangular building which measures 9.75m long by 4.27 wide.

There is a second chamber (3.2m long by 2.1m broad) connected to the SE end of the main structure by a short passageway. Between this smaller chamber and the SE extremity of the summit is a stone lined hollow 1.5m in diameter and 0.46m deep. Access to the summit is obtained by climbing a ridge of rock between the stack and the mainland cliff-face.

The area to be scheduled is oval and measures a maximum of 30m NW-SE by 20m SW-NE, consisting of the entire rock stack known as Caisteal a' Mhorair as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it is an example of a late prehistoric defensive construction and demonstrates how people utilised inhospitable sites in order to safeguard themselves from possible threat. Examination of the buried archaeological deposits may yield information concerning the occupation phases, domestic activities and material culture of those who lived there in the past.

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.