Description

The monument comprises a burial cairn of prehistoric date, visible as an upstanding stony mound.

The cairn is situated on the summit of Pole Hill, within a plantation bank and surmounted by an OS triangulation pillar. The cairn appears to be otherwise undisturbed. It displays three distinct tiers of mound material, each separated from that above by a distinct berm, giving the cairn a stepped appearance. This tiering may represent phased construction, or later modification.

The lowest tier measures 19.5m in diameter by about 0.6m in height, the central tier measures 13m by about 1m in height, and the uppermost tier measures 7m in diameter by about 0.6m. Stony material is visible on the surface of the cairn. An earth-fast stone on the S arc may have formed part of a kerb.

At the base of the cairn on the SE there is what may be a roughly square platform measuring about 2.8m across and 0.2m in height; around its edge there is an intermittent kerb of small boulders. The cairn is likely to be Bronze Age in date and may be expected to contain evidence of burials.

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 circular with a diameter of 50m, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to our understanding of prehistoric burial and ritual practices. It may be expected to contain material relating to its mode of construction and use. It is particularly significant because of the choice of site, which has a spectacular view in almost every direction.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NO 12 NE 6.

Aerial Photography used:

RCAHMS (1988) B17045 NO12NE6, 33.

RCAHMS (1988) A55977 NO12NE6, 33.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland