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

  SM2114_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600008383)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises a large hilltop enclosure or fort probably built during the later prehistoric or early historic period. The monument's two stone ramparts enclose a natural granite outcrop marking the summit of Mither Tap and the high point of the hill range, Bennachie. It is partially covered by upland vegetation and its highest point is 535m above sea level. The monument was last scheduled in 1962 but an insufficient area was included to protect the remains described; the present rescheduling rectifies this.

This contour fort occupies the top 60m of the hill. It measures roughly 200m NE-SW by 150m transversely, with a deliberate entrance and outer stone- or hornwork arrangement in the NE corner. There is a second entrance in the SW corner but it is unclear whether this was contemporary with the original function of the monument or a later addition. The rampart was deliberately built to augment the natural outcrops of the NW, W and S sides of the hill and so enclose the summit. These outcrops therefore split the outer rampart into three distinct sections. The most extensive section is on the E side, running S of the NE entrance and in places it is up to 8m thick and 5m high. Wall-faces are well preserved and part of a parapet walk also survives. Within these outer works, the foundations of up to ten circular structures were discovered by 19th-century antiquarians, as was an inner stone enclosure or rampart, to the south of the summit. The relationship of the buildings to the fort's development is unknown. The interior also includes a cistern. The SW corner of the centre of the fort has been built up around bedrock, with loose stonework, and this may indicate an inner rampart or an attempt to level the interior.

Archaeological investigations in 2006 (of a path approaching the fort from the north) obtained two radiocarbon dates of AD 640-780 and AD 340-540 (at 95% certainty). These help to reinforce the current view of some archaeologists that the major use of the fort was during the early historic period.

The area to be scheduled is roughly circular on plan, to include the remains described and an area around within which evidence relating to the monument's construction and use may survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduling specifically excludes the above-ground remains of existing wooden signposts and a stone pillar bearing visitor signage, and the top 300mm of the paths archaeologically investigated in 2006, to allow for their maintenance.

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 class and it retains a significant proportion of its estimated original shape and structure, notably substantial walls with surviving wall faces and a unique example of parapet walk (the upper levels of forts of any period in Scotland and beyond do not usually survive well enough for such detail to be recovered). The outer works and inner space, which has been partially excavated by 19th-century antiquarians, are likely to contain buried features and deposits relating to its construction and use. The monument has the potential to further our understanding about early historic power centres and the balance between their symbolic and functional use.

Contextual characteristics

This monument belongs to a diverse group of later prehistoric/early-historic enclosures that occupy significant landscape positions such as hilltops, promontories and coastal headlands across Scotland. Estimates of the overall number of these vary, but Mither Tap is an important example of a smaller group of hilltop or contour enclosures ranging from 250sq m to over 5ha in size. Their distribution generally runs northwards in a line from Dumfries and Galloway to the Lothians (where the majority of these monuments survive) to further north on the east side of the country, including Perthshire and Angus, the Great Glen, Deeside and Strathdon. Small concentrations can be found on the north coast and in the west. It is an important example of a regional cluster of similar sites that dominate the hilltop landscapes of the NE of Scotland.

The form of this monument has long suggested that it could be a rare example of an early-historic (Pictish) fort of the first millennium AD, and radiocarbon dates of 2006 show that there was certainly activity here at this time, although they do not prove when the fort was built. Together with smaller, contemporary forts that survive in Strathdon and further south in Perthshire and Fife, these large monuments can help us understand the development of early-historic communities across NE Scotland.

At Mither Tap much use is made of the natural topography and the impressive scale of stone work undertaken here suggests that defence and/or status was probably a significant function. Equally significant is the symbolic nature of the site as a major landmark, dominating many of the medium- and long-distance vistas of the area. An iconic function for this site appears likely and may be reflected in, among other things, the cluster of Pictish ogham inscriptions around its lower slopes. Mither Tap can therefore help us understand the relationship between people and landscape.

Associative characteristics

The northern side of Bennachie, below the fort, has long been associated with the Roman conquest of Scotland. It is believed to be one of the most likely sites of a battle known as Mons Graupius, recorded as taking place in AD 84 between the advancing Roman army and the regional tribes-people of NE Scotland, the Caledonii. The proximity of a Roman marching camp at Durno may support the theory, although no field evidence for the battle has ever been found. The fort and hill range of Bennachie is very popular with visitors and hillwalkers and is well-known by local communities including the Bailies of Bennachie, a long-established group who look after the stewardship of the hill range.

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 construction, function and symbolism of later prehistoric/early-historic hilltop enclosures, and the values that later communities placed on them. The quality of the surviving ramparts is very high and includes unique evidence for a parapet walk. Mither Tap is likely to have played a central role as a Pictish regional centre and in the development of communities that occupied Strathdon, where it is one of the largest and most imposing landmarks. Its loss would impede our ability to understand the wider settlement, economic and social patterns of NE Scotland throughout later prehistory and early history

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.