Scheduled Monument

Templestone, stone circle, RaffordSM1219

Status: Designated

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.

Summary

Date Added
26/08/1927
Last Date Amended
23/02/1998
Supplementary Information Updated
04/06/2018
Type
Prehistoric ritual and funerary: stone setting
Local Authority
Moray
Parish
Rafford
NGR
NJ 06829 56935
Coordinates
306829, 856935

Description

The monument is a well preserved example of a type of prehistoric stone setting known as a 'four poster', probably about 3500 years old. The monument was scheduled in 1927 but there was no map to indicate the scheduled area.

The monument comprises four stones forming a rectangle measuring 2.3m NW-SE by 2.5 transversely. The area between them is filled with stones, which may represent the remains of a small cairn. There are other stones in the immediate area which may form part of the monument.

The area now to be scheduled is a square 30m on each side, aligned NNE-SSW by WNW-ESE, and centred on the stone setting, to include the visible remains and an area around in which features associated with the construction and use of the monument are likely to survive, as marked in red on the attached map. The area is defined on the NW by a stone field wall, which is specifically excluded from the scheduling.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is a well preserved example of a type of monument more usually found in central Scotland. It has the potential to enhance considerably our understanding of prehistoric burial and religious practices in NE Scotland and beyond.

References

Bibliography

The monument is recorded in the RCAHMS as NJ 05 NE 4.

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.

Images

There are no images available for this record, you may want to check Canmore for images relating to Templestone, stone circle, Rafford

There are no images available for this record.

Search Canmore

Printed: 24/04/2024 16:03