Description

The monument comprises a cairn of prehistoric date, visible as a gorse-covered stony mound. The monument is situated within rough grassland on a prominent spur on the southern slopes of Mormond Hill at between 180-190m O.D.

The monument comprises a round cairn measuring c. 20m in diameter and up to 1.5m in height. It is defined by a ring of kerb stones which are notably larger on the NE and S sides of the cairn. The largest stones, forming a pair of orthostats on the S side, may indicate the entrance to a central chamber. The interior of the cairn is covered in medium-large angular and sub-rounded boulders with indications of probable localised stone-robbing in antiquity and disturbance by livestock.

Cairns of this type date to the Neolithic or Early Bronze Age, and were used for burial.

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 in shape and centred on the cairn, with a diameter of 40m 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 an understanding of prehistoric funerary and ritual practices. The monument is a relatively well preserved example of its type and its importance is increased by its proximity to other monuments of potentially contemporary date. It is also a prominent landscape feature.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

The monument is recorded by RCAHMS as NJ95NE 4.

References:

ORDNANCE SURVEY NAME BOOK (ABERDEENSHIRE), Original Name Books of the Ordnance Survey Book No. 82, 21.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland