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

  SM5253_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011156)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of the remains of a small fortified settlement of Iron Age date situated on a peninsula connected to the mainland on the NW by a narrow strip of land. The site is naturally suited for defence. Only one person at a time can approach the entrance from the NW. The peninsula itself is precipitous on all but the NW side.

The site covers an area measuring about 120m E-W by 80m N-S. The defences although much damaged by sea- erosion are still evident. An enclosing rampart can be traced along

the S side for 60m, along the N side for 68m and across the isthmus for 8m. A gap through this last stretch may be modern. The original entrance was probably to the N side of the modern gap.

Within the area of the fort are the remains of houses with associated enclosures (of sub-rectangular and pennanular shape) and lazy beds which indicate occupation into the medieval period. The area to be scheduled is irregular, measuring a maximum of 120m E-W by 80m N-S, to include the entire peninsula on which the fort is situated as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it is a defensive site which potentially has a long history of occupation from the late prehistoric period until the Middle Ages. By preserving it we may protect the information it holds which may be of use to future studies of defensive architecture, settlement pattern, domestic occupation and landuse in Scotland from Late Iron Age until Medieval times.

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.