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

  SM90006_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014546)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises two groups of prehistoric rock carvings which are situated on rising ground to the N of Achnabreck farmhouse.

The major carvings are situated in an enclosure at the edge of a forestry plantation and fall into three groups. The lower group includes multiple-ringed (up to 7 rings) and guttered-ringed cups accompanied by an extensive network of grooves and 4 exceptionally large plain cupmarks. The middle group includes one of the largest cup and ring markings in Scotland, measuring almost 1m in diameter. The upper group includes a range of designs, but of special interest are two double spirals, one triple spiral and several multiple rings.

The other carvings are situated in a forestry plantation 150m E of the major group. The decoration includes at least 15 multi-ringed cupmarks, some of which have gutters.

There are two areas to be scheduled: the W area is polygonal on plan and measures 90m from NE to SW by up to 30m; the E area is rectangular on plan and measures 20m from E to W by 10m, to include the visible rock carvings and an area around in which associated remains may survive, as marked in red on the attached map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it forms perhaps the most extensive and impressive single group of prehistoric rock carvings in Scotland. Furthermore it is part of the densest and most elaborate concentration of later Neolithic and Bronze Age carvings in Scotland. The importance of the rock art of Mid Argyll has been recognised since the nineteenth century and has been the subject of several major studies. The rock carvings are part of a group of broadly contemporary ritual and funerary monuments in Kilmartin Valley, a 'ritual landscape' which has the potential to provide information about later Neolithic and Bronze Age ritual practices and, by inference, society.

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.