Scheduled Monument

Clach a' Charra, standing stone 340m E of Ospisdale Bridge, ClashmoreSM1777

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
14/03/1935
Last Date Amended
30/01/2003
Supplementary Information Updated
16/11/2017
Type
Prehistoric ritual and funerary: standing stone
Local Authority
Highland
Parish
Creich (Highland)
NGR
NH 71648 89495
Coordinates
271648, 889495

Description

The monument comprises a single standing stone, probably of prehistoric date, and a small area of ground around it. The stone has been scheduled since 1935, but the map associated with the original scheduling documents is not adequate. This proposal rectifies the position.

The stone stands 1m to the S of the old main road. It is a large, pointed boulder of granite, approximately triangular in cross-section. It stands approximately 2.8m high, which probably makes it the tallest standing stone in Sutherland. The roadside wall curves to avoid the stone, which at its closest is about 0.3m away from the wall.

The area now to be scheduled is a circle 2m in diameter, as indicated in red on the accompanying map. The area is centred on the centre of the standing stone, and includes the stone itself and a small area around it within which evidence relating to its erection is likely to survive. This area extends to the edge of the road surface to the N and under the wall on the S. The above-ground structure of the wall is excluded from the scheduling, to allow for routine maintenance.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as an imposing standing stone. Probably of prehistoric date, the stone has served as a landmark for many centuries, although (as with most standing stones) the original purpose behind its erection remains obscure. It provides, and through excavation would have the potential to provide more, evidence for prehistoric ritual practices.

References

Bibliography

No Bibliography entries for this designation

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: 28/03/2024 15:33