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

  SM2205_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600008464)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a massive promontory fort of the early Historic period, some 1500 years old, and the possible remains of a contemporary or later Christian centre.

The remains of the fort are in two parts, the upper and lower wards. The upper ward is now defined on its northern and western sides by ramparts of soil and stone. There are no traces of the southern rampart. The original three massive ramparts on the eastern side have largely been built over by the town of Burghead, but one fragment of the system survives, in the form of the Doorie Hill, which has the Clavie Stone on it.

The lower ward is bounded on its north side by a rampart. The possible early Christian complex, which may be contemporary with or later than the fort, comprises two features, the old graveyard on Grant Street, which contains below ground the remains of a structure known as St Aethan's Chapel, and the rock-cut well, identified as a possible baptistry, which is in the care of the Secretary of State for Scotland. The well is scheduled separately.

There are three areas to be scheduled. The largest includes the main area of the fort, both upper and lower wards, and measures a maximum of 170m N-S by 175m E-W. The area of the former Coastguard station is specifically excluded from the scheduling, and the above-ground structure of the Coastguard Lookout is also excluded. The second area comprises the remains of the Doorie Hill and the Clavie Stone: it measures 34m from its westernmost point to its easternmost, and 35m from its northernmost to its southernmost.

The third area includes the old graveyard and measures 44m E-W by 50m from its northernmost point to its southernmost; all the gravestones are included in the scheduling, but any lair with existing burial rights (there are believed to be none) is excluded. All three areas are as shown in red on the accompanying map extract.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as the site of one of the most impressive early Historic fortresses in northern Scotland. The Pictish finds from the site indicates its original status. The surviving elements of the site have the potential to enhance considerably our understanding of early Historic and early Christian settlement, particularly in relation to high status fortified sites. The site is also of importance because of its striking landscape impact, displaying the quality now increasingly referred to as monumentality.

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.