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

  SM11037_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013847)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of prehistoric, early Historic, medieval and 18th-20th century settlement or defensive sites occupying a coastal promontory, connected to the mainland by an isthmus 1.4m wide at its narrowest point.

Excavation and survey from 1963 to 1972 revealed the remains of a complex Iron Age promontory fort built and modified over several centuries (including a vitrified phase), a Pictish structure, a medieval castle, a 17th-century bowling green, Fort Fiddes (an 18th-19th century battery), and a 20th century watch-post. There is also evidence of Bronze Age occupation. Two cannon are recorded and a flagstaff is shown on an 1868 map.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described above including an area around them within which related archaeological material may be found. Fences and the upper 15cm of existing paths are excluded. It is irregular on plan, with maximum dimensions of about 285m ENE-WSW and 132m due N-S, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as an example of a multi-period prehistoric fort, Pictish settlement, a medieval castle and 18th-19th century defensive site. Partial excavation has demonstrated the survival of complex and well-preserved structures, deposits and dateable artefacts. The monument retains a considerable potential to add to knowledge of the development of settlement and defence along the Moray Firth coast over a period of over 2000 years. Historical documents, relating to the medieval and later periods, also add to that understanding. Its importance is enhanced as a member of a group of promonory forts along the Moray Firth coast which have the potential to enhance considerably our understanding of settlement in North-East Scotland.

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.