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

  SM6587_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600012471)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of the remains of a settlement of middle to late Iron Age date, situated below and around the graveyard at Kirki Geo, near the S end of Fair Isle, and the remains of several boat-noosts, or shelters.

The settlement is visible on the surface only as a gently-sloping mound with its surface marked by hummocks of indeterminate form. Evidence of archaeological deposits was first noted in the coastal section in 1981-2, and a small trial in 1983 followed by geophysical survey has proved the extent and date of these. The position of the site, underlying the graveyard, may also be significant.

The boat-noosts, at least 14 in number, lie to the S of the settlement, and are a particularly fine group of examples of the type, with both high-level (winter) and low-level (summer) noosts. Although still partly in use, they are undoubtedly the successors, on the same site, to a long series of such simple constructions.

The area to be scheduled is irregular on plan, bounded by the edge of the low cliffs to the SE and by the edge of roadways to the W and N. It excludes the top 2m of soil in the area of the graveyard and also the graveyard's surrounding wall, and also excludes the above-ground portion of all modern fences. The area has maximum dimensions of 120m NNE-SSW by 85m, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a site which has proven archaeological deposits with unusually rich pottery and environmental material dating to the period of the construction of brochs or slightly later. Its importance is enhanced by the position of Fair Isle as a mid-way point between Orkney and Shetland. It is likely that the most significant Iron Age settlement on the island would have lain within a few metres of the exposed coastal section, and significant structural remains may still survive.

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.