Scheduled Monument

Port Chamuill, souterrain 500m NNW of, Loch EribollSM3776

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
27/03/1958
Last Date Amended
18/08/2004
Supplementary Information Updated
28/11/2018
Type
Prehistoric domestic and defensive: souterrain, earth-house
Local Authority
Highland
Planning Authority
Highland
Parish
Durness
NGR
NC 42809 61274
Coordinates
242809, 961274

Description

The monument comprises a souterrain of prehistoric date situated in rough grassland at c25m OD. It is a subterranean, passage-like structure covered with a turfed-over mound. The monument was first scheduled in 1958 and was re-scheduled in 1975, but an inadequate area was included to protect all of the archaeological remains: the current scheduling rectifies this.

The monument consists of a gallery c9m in length, 1 to 1.5m wide and c1.75m high, leading to an end chamber c1.6m wide and c1.4m high. Both gallery and chamber are of dry-stone construction roofed with stone lintels. Entrance to the monument is via a flight of twelve stone steps forming an entrance passage 3m long and 0.8m wide. The souterrain is covered with a mound measuring c24m in diameter and c1.5m high, incorporating the remains of a much-denuded hut circle of which only the SE arc survives.

The area now to be scheduled is rectangular on plan measuring c60m WSW-ENE and 45m transversely, including the features discussed and an area between and around them within which evidence for their construction and use would be expected to survive, as marked on the accompanying map extract in red. The NW edge of the area is bounded by the edge of the public road.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as a well-preserved example of this type of monument that offer the potential to answer important questions concerning the nature of highland settlement and economy during later prehistory.

References

Bibliography

The monument is recorded by RCAHMS as NC46SW 2.

References:

Buxton R 1935, 'Earth-house at Portnacon, Sutherland' PROC SOC ANTIQ SCOT 69, 431-3.

Close-Brooks J 1986, EXPLORING SCOTLAND'S HERITAGE: THE HIGHLANDS, Exploring Scotland's Heritage Series, Edinburgh No. 87, 155.

Close-Brooks J 1995, EXPLORING SCOTLAND'S HERITAGE: THE HIGHLANDS, Exploring Scotland's Heritage Series, 2nd edition (edited by A. Ritchie), Edinburgh No. 96, 33; 136; 152.

ORDNANCE SURVEY (NAME BOOK), Original Name Books of the Ordnance Survey, Book No. 11, 18.

RCAHMS 1911, SECOND REPORT AND INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS AND CONSTRUCTIONS IN THE COUNTY OF SUTHERLAND, Edinburgh No. 160, 55.

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: 19/04/2024 22:36