Scheduled Monument

Culhawk Hill, stone circle 390m WNW of BalstardSM4475

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
24/03/1988
Last Date Amended
28/07/2015
Supplementary Information Updated
19/07/2016
Type
Prehistoric ritual and funerary: stone circle or ring
Local Authority
Angus
Parish
Kirriemuir
NGR
NO 35355 56191
Coordinates
335355, 756191

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a circular setting of stones, dating probably from the late Neolithic or Bronze Age (third to second millennium BC). The visible remains consist of five stones that form the N and W part of a circle 10m in diameter. One stone stands 0.8m high, while the other four are fallen in situ. There are also several other smaller stones protruding through the turf on the line of the circuit. The monument lies on relatively level ground in the saddle between Culhawk Hill and Castle Hill, at about 270m above sea level. The scheduled area is a circle of 30m diameter on plan, centred on the centre of the circuit of stones. The scheduled area 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 monument was first scheduled in 1988, but the documentation did not meet modern standards: the present amendment rectifies this.

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 prehistoric stone settings. It comprises a circular setting that probably represents an easterly example of a type of small stone circle more common in Perthshire. Given its location in Angus, it is of particular importance as it appears to be a very rare, well-preserved non-four-poster stone circle. There is no evidence of disturbance in the central area. If this monument was to be lost or damaged, our understanding of prehistoric ceremonial and funerary traditions in eastern Scotland would be diminished.

References

Bibliography

Other Information

RCAHMS records the monument as NO35NE 41. The Angus Sites and Monuments Record reference is NO35NE0041.

References

Sheriff, J R, and Macknight, O, 1985 'Culhawk Hill; barrow, stone setting', Discovery Excav Scot, 57-8.

HER/SMR Reference

  • Angus SMR NO35NE0041

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: 28/04/2024 08:58