Description

The monument is a cairn of prehistoric date, visible as a stony mound, with several kerb stones surviving in-situ, at the summit of Hare Law, at 294m OD.

It is c. 20m in diameter and is up to c. 1m in height, although it has been augmented by a modern walkers' cairn. The SW quadrant is badly denuded but the E half is better preserved. The W half is defined by a low bank, c. 0.3m in height. Human bones are reputed to have been found in it c. 1830. Cairns of this type are funerary monuments dating to the Neolithic and Bronze Age, and may be expected to contain burials and material relating to their mode of construction and use.

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 40m in diameter 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 an understanding of prehistoric funerary and ritual practices. Its importance is increased by its proximity to other monuments of potentially contemporary date. Although it has been disturbed by antiquarian diggings, it retains considerable potential to provide important information on prehistoric burial.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

The monument is recorded by RCAHMS as NT04NW1.

Photographs:

RCAHMS, 1943, NT04NW1, Hare Law, Wester Yardhouses Cairn, 47.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland