Scheduled Monument

Meilein,burial cairn 150m NW ofSM5339

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
09/03/1992
Supplementary Information Updated
17/02/2021
Type
Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain)
Local Authority
Na h-Eileanan Siar
Parish
Harris
NGR
NB 00015 14557
Coordinates
100015, 914557

Description

The monument consists of the remains of a small burial cairn of probable Neolithic date (4500-2000BC). It is situated in a hollow between a hillock and an eroding shingle cliff on the peninsula of Meilein. The circular mound of stone which is partly turf covered measures 12m in diameter and is 0.4m high.

There are lazy-beds surrounding it but its shape, size and central position affording views to the NE and SW suggest that it is likely to be a burial cairn rather than a large clearance heap. The area to be scheduled is circular and has a maximum diameter of 30m to be centred on the cairn as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it is a burial place of Neolithic date. It preserves undisturbed archaeological deposits that may, on excavation, increase our understanding of prehistoric ritual activity and tomb construction.

References

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NB 01 SW 1.

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: 04/08/2025 12:49