Description

The monument comprises a fermtoun and enclosures of medieval date, visible as a series of grass-covered foundations.

The remains of the fermtoun are situated immediately beyond the improved fields to the NE of Arnbathie Farm. They comprise at least eight rectangular buildings, together with their associated enclosures. Most are clustered together close to the modern field boundary, but there are outliers to the N and to the W.

The largest of the buildings measures some 18m in length and, like most of the others, appears to comprise two or more compartments. Low mounds beside some of the buildings appear to represent the remains of associated middens. Medieval pottery from the site, along with place-name evidence for a settlement here in 1566, suggests that the remains represent a relatively low status medieval settlement, of which very few examples survive in lowland Scotland.

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 irregular in shape with maximum dimensions of 350m between its N and S-most points, and 310m between its E and W-most points, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because it has the potential to contribute to our understanding of rural settlement and economy in the pre-Improvement period.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS (1991) B46653 NO12NE48 and 18.

RCAHMS (1988) A56005 NO12NE48 and 18.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland