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

  SM11681_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014070)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a fort dating to the later prehistoric period, visible as an upstanding earthwork and ditch, situated in rough pasture on the summit of a cone shaped hill known as Cnoc Cailliche.

The fort is oval, measuring 55m from NE-SW by 29m transversely, defined by a shallow ditch measuring about 4m wide and 1m deep, with a stony bank on its inner edge. A counterscarp bank is visible around the outer ditch edge of the ditch. A gap 3m wide in the ditch and bank on the NE marks the probable entrance to the fort. The site commands wide views over the surrounding landscape, especially to the E.

The area to be scheduled is roughly oval in plan, to include the visible remains of the fort and an area around in which evidence relating to its construction and use may survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

Cultural Significance

The monument's cultural significance can be expressed as follows:

Intrinsic characteristics: The monument is a well-preserved example of its type, a relatively small enclosure defended by ramparts and ditches. It is unexcavated and therefore has the potential to provide high quality archaeological evidence on the structure and function of later prehistoric forts.

Contextual characteristics: The site is a good example of a type known throughout eastern and southern Scotland and typical of later prehistoric forts in NE Scotland. Built to have wide views over the surrounding landscape, an appreciation of its setting is integral to this understanding the monument in the landscape. There is a great disparity in the character and distribution of forms in Strath Don, and it is important to be able to understand the relationship between the various forts and their builders here, as well as with the rest of Scotland.

Associative characteristics: The monument is the product of the later prehistoric peoples in Scotland and demonstrates the settlement types and defensive techniques used by them in eastern and southern Scotland.

National Importance: The monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to make a significant addition to the understanding of the past, in particular the settlement pattern and defensive techniques of later prehistoric peoples in southern and eastern Scotland. Its relatively good preservation enhances this potential. The loss of this example would affect our ability to understand the later prehistoric period in 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.