Ancient Monuments

History on the Ground

This site is entirely user-supported. See how you can help.

Midfield House,settlement 200m ENE of

A Scheduled Monument in Midlothian West, Midlothian

We don't have any photos of this monument yet. Why don't you be the first to send us one?

Upload Photo »

Approximate Location Map
Large Map »

If Google Street View is available, the image is from the best available vantage point looking, if possible, towards the location of the monument. Where it is not available, the satellite view is shown instead.

Coordinates

Latitude: 55.8653 / 55°51'55"N

Longitude: -3.1279 / 3°7'40"W

OS Eastings: 329506

OS Northings: 664144

OS Grid: NT295641

Mapcode National: GBR 60LM.L9

Mapcode Global: WH6T0.XTPY

Entry Name: Midfield House,settlement 200m ENE of

Scheduled Date: 24 October 1995

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Source ID: SM6239

Schedule Class: Cultural

Category: Prehistoric domestic and defensive: settlement

Location: Lasswade

County: Midlothian

Electoral Ward: Midlothian West

Traditional County: Midlothian

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a complex enclosed settlement of probable prehistoric date represented by cropmarks visible on oblique aerial photographs.

The monument lies on a locally prominent ridge in arable farmland at around 140m OD. It comprises a sub-oval enclosure measuring approximately 110m NW-SE by 125m NE-SW. Around the inner edge of the enclosure ditch are three, evenly-spaced, sub-square enclosures with sides some 20m long, defined by ditches some 2-4m wide. Darker patches inside the enclosure may indicate remains of structures or areas of activity. There are further cropmarks outside the enclosure to the E suggesting the presence of adjacent settlement activity.

The monument is of apparently unique morphology although the internal enclosures are similar in size and form to enclosed settlements of the later prehistoric period. Although a medieval date cannot be ruled out it appears likely that this monument is prehistoric in date.

The area to be scheduled encompasses the visible features and an area around them in which traces of associated activity may be expected to survive. It is rectangular with maximum dimensions of 150m NW-SE and 170m NE-SW as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to our understanding of prehistoric settlement and economy. The ditches of the settlement may be expected to contain material relating to the economy and environment of the site, while the apparently unique layout of the settlement suggests that it might have played a specialised role in the prehistoric settlement landscape.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NT 26 SE 3.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Other nearby scheduled monuments

AncientMonuments.uk is an independent online resource and is not associated with any government department. All government data published here is used under licence. Please do not contact AncientMonuments.uk for any queries related to any individual ancient or schedued monument, planning permission related to scheduled monuments or the scheduling process itself.

AncientMonuments.uk is a Good Stuff website.