Scheduled Monument

Blackgate Smithy,stone circleSM149

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
12/06/1935
Last Date Amended
14/03/1995
Supplementary Information Updated
14/09/2017
Type
Prehistoric ritual and funerary: stone circle or ring
Local Authority
Angus
Parish
Rescobie
NGR
NO 48444 52868
Coordinates
348444, 752868

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a stone circle of Neolithic or Bronze Age date represented by two standing stones and several fallen slabs.

The monument stands on level ground at around 80m OD in a yard surrounded by modern buildings. It originally overlooked an extensive area of farmland to the SW containing the remains of a henge and burial monuments of broadly similar date. The surviving standing stones stand some 15.5m apart on the circumference of the circle. The one to the SW measures some 3m tall by 1.8m by 1.2m while that to the NE is 2.2m tall by 0.6m by 1m. Other fallen slabs projecting above the turf appear to represent further remnants of the circle. A cairn is reported to have lain within the circle but this is no longer visible.

The monument represents a ritual site of the Neolithic or Bronze Age periods and was probably associated with the nearby monuments of similar date.

The area to be scheduled encompasses the standing stones and an area around them in which traces of associated activity may be expected to survive. It is irregular in shape with maximum dimensions of 35m N-S by 20m as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to add to our understanding of Neolithic and Bronze Age ritual practice. Its importance is greatly enhanced by its association with the wider landscape of prehistoric ritual monuments in the vicinity.

References

Bibliography

The monument is recorded in the RCAHMS as NO45SE8.

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

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Printed: 27/04/2024 20:13