Scheduled Monument

Waterside,hut circles W ofSM6080

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
10/10/1994
Type
Prehistoric domestic and defensive: field clearance cairn, cairnfield; hut circle, roundhouse
Local Authority
Aberdeenshire
Parish
Birse
NGR
NO 53292 97980
Coordinates
353292, 797980

Description

The monument comprises the well-preserved remains of two substantial hut circles, houses of the later prehistoric period, around 2500 years ago.

Both circles take the form of low turf-covered banks. The eastern circle measures 17m in diameter with a possible entrance in the west. The western circle measures 16m in diameter. The area appears not to have suffered intensive agriculture.

The area to be scheduled measures 100m E to W by 30m transversely, bounded on the south by a modern fence (which is specifically excluded from the scheduling) to include the two circles and an area around them in which traces of activity associated with their construction and use may survive, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a well preserved pair of prehistoric houses, which are an unusual survival in a lowland area, where most sites have been damaged or destroyed by modern agriculture. The monument has the potential to enhance considerably our understanding of prehistoric settlement in the area.

References

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NO 59 NW 18.

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.

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Printed: 07/10/2026 00:47