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

  SM7301_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600012890)

Summary

Description

The monument consists of a prehistoric stone circle and three further 'standing stones' (although some the stones have now fallen), probably part of a single ceremonial complex of the later Neolithic or early Bronze Age, between 3500 and 4500 years old.

The monument lies in woodland at around 185m OD. The main feature is a circle of eight stones set on a diameter of about 8.5m, only two of the stones remain upright. The stones measure between about 1.45m and 1.85m in height. It appears that the largest stones were on the SW.

There were probably originally ten stones. 160m to the ESE there are two large stones, one still standing to a height of 1.9m, the other now fallen, c. 4.7m apart. 110m to the NE of the stone circle lies the third stone, now recumbent, buty measuring c. 3.2m in length.

Three areas are proposed for scheduling. The largest, westernmost area, round the stone circle itself, measures 50m in diameter, occupying most of a ruinous modern enclosure round the circle. The second, easternmost area, round the pair of standing stones measures 25m in diameter.

The third, northernmost area, round the recumbent stone, measures 25m in diameter. All three areas include the visible remains and areas around them within which related material may be expected to be found. All three areas are as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to our understanding of prehistoric ritual practices. Its importance is increased by the survival of peripheral stone settings which may have been more common in the past but have often been lost to intensive agriculture.

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.