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

  SM8581_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013378)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a slight earthwork, possibly an unfinished hillfort, situated on top of a ridge.

The enclosure is oval and measures around 260m E-W by 130m N-S. It is marked by a single earthwork, which in places takes the form of a slight terrace and elsewhere a faint ditch. On the S of the enclosure, where the hill slope is quite steep, there is no trace of the earthwork.

There are two entrances to the W and NW of the enclosure which have overlapping terminals and there is probably a third entrance to the E, which is a simple gap in the earthwork. It has been suggested that these faint earthworks mark the remains of an unfinished hillfort, but it is equally likely that they represent the boundary of a weakly-defended later prehistoric settlement.

The area to be scheduled measures 300m E-W by 180m N-S, to include the remains of the enclosure and an area around in which traces of activities associated with the construction of the enclosure are likely to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance for its potential contribution to an understanding of later prehistoric settlement and architecture. Unfinished hillforts are uncommon and may provide information about the construction of hilltop enclosures. Extensive but weakly defended hill top enclosures are a rare class of settlement in Scotland, although other examples are known.

The site is part of a group of later prehistoric settlements in the area, including a homestead 800m away. Taken together with other broadly contemporary remains occurring nearby, the monument has the potential to enhance our understanding of the nature of later prehistoric settlement in this part of Deeside in particular, as well as in Scotland in general.

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.