Scheduled Monument

Giants' Stones,standing stones,HamnavoeSM6064

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
26/07/1994
Type
Prehistoric ritual and funerary: standing stone
Local Authority
Shetland Islands
Parish
Northmaven
NGR
HU 24302 80547
Coordinates
424302, 1180547

Description

The monument consists of two standing stones and a number of low or prostrate stones nearby. These represent a ritual monument of prehistoric date, possibly the remains of a small stone circle.

The two stones (and a former third upright, now removed) stand some 7m apart, aligned WSW-ENE. The E stone is 1.7m high with a pointed top, while the W stone is 2.4m high with a more rounded top. A third stone is recorded in the late eighteenth century as recently removed. To the N and W of the two stones are a number of low, earthfast, boulders which make an almost oval plan, including the two uprights. This may be fortuitous, as the area has been partly disturbed.

The area to be scheduled is triangular, defined on two sides by the road and a track. It has maximum dimensions of 35m (along the road), 48m (along the track) and 56m (along the N, undefined, side), to include the standing stones, the low boulders around them, and an area in which traces of activities associated with the erection and use of the stones may survive.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as an unusual stone setting, probably of prehistoric date, which is almost certainly the remnant of a more complex, possibly sub-circular, setting. It has the potential to provide information about prehistoric ritual practices.

References

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as HU 28 SW 3.

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: 18/04/2024 19:20