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

  SM12010_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014154)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a standing stone of prehistoric date, which is the only upstanding surviving element of a recumbent stone circle that was removed in the late 19th century. It lies in a disturbed area of rough pasture on a gentle S-facing slope, at about 360m above sea level.

The earthfast stone is about 1.2m high by about 0.8m wide and 0.3m thick. It lies at the S edge of an area of disturbed ground within which a recumbent stone circle and ring cairn stood until the late 19th century. In 1875, the stone circle consisted of seven upright stones and a large recumbent stone on the south-west. It had a diameter of about 23m and surrounded a cairn with a hollow centre (known as a ring-cairn). By 1900, the cairn and all but one of the stones had been removed, but buried archaeological remains in the area immediately surrounding the standing stone are likely to survive.

The area to be scheduled is circular on plan, to include the standing stone and an area around it within 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 comprises the only visible remains of a recumbent stone circle, a monument type characteristic of NE Scotland and dating to the late Neolithic and early Bronze Age (around 2000-1500 BC). Although all other visible elements of the stone circle and ring-cairn have been removed, it is likely that the area immediately around the standing stone contains evidence relating to the construction and use of the stone circle and ring-cairn. Such deposits may give us valuable information about the purpose of the monument, the people who created and used it, their religious beliefs, the methods used to create it, and provide dating evidence for its erection and for any later activity associated with the stone circle. In addition, it is likely that deposits survive that could provide information relating to the prehistoric environment within which the circle was constructed and used.

Contextual characteristics

The monument lies in a part of Scotland that is characterised by its density of recumbent stone circles. It occupies a prominent location and is likely to have been an intrinsic part of the late-Neolithic and Bronze-Age landscape. It can be compared and contrasted with nearby standing stones and stone circles and with others outside the region to create an understanding of regional identity and society during this period. The study of this monument with other examples in the wider area can also give us valuable information on how and why Neolithic and Bronze-Age peoples of the area placed such monuments in the landscape.

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 religious and ritual practices of late-Neolithic and Bronze-Age peoples in Scotland. The knowledge of its former extent and period of use enhance this potential. The loss of this example would impede our ability to understand the Neolithic and Bronze Age both in Aberdeenshire and across Scotland, as well as our knowledge of Neolithic and Bronze-Age social structure and religion.

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.