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

  SM5388_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011290)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of the remains of an Iron Age souterrain.

The visible remains consist of a stone lined passage entered from the NW side of a slight grassy mound. The passage extends about 7m towards the SE direction. It is about 0.5m deep and 2.7m wide. There are two flat stones lying over the passage and several stones lying alongside appear to have been removed from their original positions.

The soil contains fragments of animal bone and shells but is less sandy than that to the N. Most of the stones had been robbed for building purposes by 1906, when the site was identified, and more were moved during a subsequent re-opening in 1964. 12m S of the passage is a group of three stones in a slight depression. The area where the souterrain is located has been cultivated necessitating the removal of many large boulders (there is a stone hole between the end of the passage and the highest point of the mound). There still appear to be two rows of boulders (several with small packers) arranged loosely in lines on either side of the mound.

The area to be scheduled is rectangular, measuring a maximum of 70m NW-SE by 60m SW-NE to include the souterrain and an area around and between the monument which may contain evidence of activity associated with the construction and use of the site. This area is shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it is an occupation site which dates from the Iron Age, study of which may increase our understanding of the domestic architecture, agricultural economy and material existence of the people who lived on Berneray in particular and the Western Isles in general at that time.

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.