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

  SM11027_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013844)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a prehistoric burial cairn, visible as an upstanding earthen mound. Cairns such as this are funerary and ritual monuments built during the Early Bronze Age (c.2500-1500BC).

The monument sits at around 125m OD on a gentle natural rise where it commands extensive views over the surrounding countryside. The cairn is a steep-sided circular mound around 27m in diameter and standing up to 4m high, with a flat top about 7m in diameter. The mound is made up of earth and small stones. There is no indication that the cairn has ever been excavated or disturbed and it may, therefore, preserve its original structure and deposits intact.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described and an area around them within which material relating to the construction and use of the cairn may be expected to survive. It is circular with a diameter of 55m, minus a chord on the SE side, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The elements of a former hen house lying within the proposed scheduled area are specifically excluded from the scheduling.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance for its potential to contribute to our understanding of prehistoric ritual and funerary practices. It may be expected to contain funerary deposits and evidence relating to its mode of construction and use, and may also preserve evidence for contemporary landuse and environmental conditions.

The importance of this monument is further enhanced by its relationship to similar sites nearby: the cairn is one of a group of massive prehistoric burial mounds located in coastal Banffshire.

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.