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

  SM5283_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011186)

Summary

Description

The monument is a site believed to have been used for astronomical observations, associated with a number of artefact quarrying sites, and comprises several elements:

1. The main alignment is a terraced platform, c. 30m by 12m. Two small standing stones within the platform have been erected in modern times. Excavation has recovered prehistoric flints and an ironworking hearth, radiocarbon dated to the period AD 135 - AD 976. Some 50m NE of the platform a rock outcrop bears cupmarks at its E end and a quern quarry displaying rough-outs on its W end. To the SW of the platform there is a revetted outcrop with a bank behind. This outcrop may be related to the main platform, as may a boulder setting between the two features.

2. The Oak Bank alignment: 240m NW of the main alignment lie two cup and groove marked boulders, a recumbent stone and a quern quarry, spread over an area c. 60m by 40m.

3. A further alignment: 200m west-south-west of the main alignment an arrangement of standing stones and recumbent stones covers an area c. 40m by 30m.

4. A carved stone: 300m north of the main alignment a rock outcrop bears patterns of incised lines on its top, south and west faces. It may have been related to a vanished stone cairn.

The areas to be scheduled are depicted in red on the accompanying map and measure as follows: 1. 150m NE-SW by 60m; 2. 60m NE-SW by 40m; 3. 50m N-S by 30m; 4. 10m diameter.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because the physical remains have been cited in relation to consideration of the astronomical siginificance of prehistoric monuments. The inter-relationship of the various elements is central to the monument's importance, more than its individual parts. However, the quern quarries are of particular significance, for their potential to contribue to our understanding of rural industrial working practices.

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.