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

  SM5088_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600010992)

Summary

Description

This monument consists of the remains of a broch and an associated prehistoric settlement. The broch survives as a turf-covered, level- topped mound, approximately 20m in diameter and 1.6m high. On the SE edge of the mound the upper part of the broch entrance and a stretch of the external face of the broch wall have been exposed. The broch mound rises out of an irregular, extensive mound, about 50m N-S by 40m E-W, enclosed by an early-modern field wall.

On the surface of this outer mound are traces of a number of small circular stone- walled buildings. These structures indicate an extensive settlement which may have originated at the time when the broch was occupied but probably continued in occupation after the abandonment of the broch. The area to be scheduled measures 80m NW-SE by 80m SW-NE, to include the broch mound, the outer mound and an area around in which traces of activities associated with the construction and occupation of the broch and settlement may survive.

The external settlement extends as far as the modern walled enclosure which surrounds the broch and the scheduled area extends outside this walled enclosure in order to protect associated structures which probably once extended into the improved pasture. The area to be scheduled is shown in red on the attached map.

Statement of National Importance

This monument is of national importance for its potential contribution to our understanding of prehistoric settlement and domestic life. The broch is well preserved and there is an extensive associated prehistoric settlement. The broch is an example of a high-status Iron Age dwelling and incorporates evidence for defensive architecture, the domestic organisation of its inhabitants and their farming practices.

With the exception of the excavation of the entrance passageway, it appears that the broch has not been investigated in recent times and this suggest that the wall structure, internal organisation and chronological sequence of development on this site will be particularly well preserved.

The association of the broch with an extensive settlement of possible contemporary and later date is also important. Brochs in Caithness and Orkney are often associated with settlements of this type, but this example appears to be particularly well preserved.

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.