Scheduled Monument

Torhouse Stone CircleSM90304

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
24/10/1924
Last Date Amended
16/07/2002
Type
Prehistoric ritual and funerary: stone circle or ring
Local Authority
Dumfries And Galloway
Parish
Wigtown
NGR
NX 38253 56493
Coordinates
238253, 556493

Description

The monument comprises a stone circle of prehistoric date. It is in the care of Scottish Ministers and is being re-scheduled to clarify the extent of the protected area.

The monument lies at around 130m OD. It comprises nineteen granite boulders, set in a circle with a diameter of about 22m and ranging from about 0.6m to about 1.5m in height. The boulders, which are set on a slightly raised platform, are largest at the SE of the circle. Near the centre of the circle is a setting of three stones, aligned on a SW-NE axis. At the middle of the setting is a smaller stone, flanked by two massive boulders. Stone settings of this type are characteristic of the Neolithic.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related material may be expected to be found. It is sub-rectangular with maximum dimensions of 63m from NE-SW and 59m from NW-SE, bounded on all sides by a fence, and is marked in red on the accompanying map extract. The fence and gate are excluded from the scheduling. The area proposed for scheduling is more extensive than that of the area in care.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to an understanding of prehistoric ritual practices. The importance of the site is reflected in its status as a Property in Care.

References

Bibliography

The monument is recorded by RCAHMS as NX 35 NE 14.

Bibliography:

Stell, G. (1986) Exploring Scotland?s Heritage, Dumfries and Galloway. HMSO. Edinburgh.

Historic Environment Scotland Properties

Torhouse Stone Circle

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/torhouse-stone-circle

Find out more

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: 29/03/2024 15:58