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

  SM2872_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600009022)

Summary

Description

The monument is the remains of a promontory fort, a later prehistoric defended settlement, dating probably to the Iron Age (between about 100 BC and 700 AD). It survives as a single massive earthen rampart with an outer ditch aligned NNW-SSE, which together cut off the promontory and defend the landward approach to the fort. The monument is situated on the coast at around 30m above sea level and is surrounded by steep cliffs on all but its SW side. The monument was first scheduled in 1969, but the documentation did not meet modern standards: the present amendment rectifies this.

The rampart measures approximately 37m long and stands up to 4.3m high on the seaward side and 7.3m high on the landward side. It sits on the edge of a natural gully, probably enhanced during construction of the rampart, which forms an outer ditch measuring 6m wide. There is a narrow terrace some 2.5m wide at the southern end of the rampart, which appears to have formed an entranceway through the defences and on to the promontory. The ground surface in the fort interior is relatively flat and appears featureless, although it is obscured by vegetation.

The scheduled area is irregular on plan and includes the remains described above and an area around them within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduled area extends up to, but does not include, the boundary fence on the SW side. The scheduling also excludes the upper 30cm of the coastal path and the concrete coastguard posts to allow for their maintenance.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to make a significant addition to our knowledge and understanding of later prehistoric settlement, society and economy in Scotland. It has the potential to add to our understanding of the construction, form and function of promontory forts, a relatively poorly understood class of monument. The monument retains its field characteristics to a marked degree, most notably its massive earthen rampart and accompanying ditch, which make it a particularly impressive example of its class. The fort appears to be undisturbed, suggesting there is high potential for the survival of important archaeological deposits and features. Maiden Castle is of particular interest because it is one of six, possibly associated, promontory forts situated along the stretch of coast between Arbroath and Lunan Bay. It offers high potential to compare changes in settlement form and character over time, particularly in contrast to the more common types of later prehistoric settlement in Angus which are mainly visible as cropmarks in lower-lying agricultural land. Our understanding of the distribution and character of later prehistoric settlements and defended sites would be diminished if this monument was to be lost or damaged.

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.