Description

The monument comprises the remains of three enclosed settlements with bivallate defences, a scooped settlement, four palisaded settlements, an unenclosed settlement, a burial cairn and very extensive remains of field systems earlier than, associated with, and later than the various settlement sites. They all belong to the Iron Age, although some may have had their origins in the Bronze Age, and are between 2000 and 3000 years old. There are the remains of about 50 prehistoric houses within the settlements. A large portion of the prehistoric landscape has survived here virtually untouched by later land use. The area to be scheduled measures a maximum of 1630m NW to SE by a maximum of 900m transversely, to include all the settlements, enclosures and field systems, and areas between and around them in which traces of activity associated with their use will survive, as marked in red on the attached map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as an exceptionally well preserved group of settlement sites of the Iron Age, which has the potential to enhance very considerably our understanding of prehistoric settlement. The group is of particular importance because of the dense concentration of sites; notably the occurrence of four palisaded settlements (which are not particularly common) is of considerable interest, especially as two survive side by side. The importance of the monument is increased by the survival of extensive remains of field systems, of a number of different phases of occupation, around and over the individual settlements. The landscape fragment which is preserved here is rare in its extent and quality. It has the potential to greatly increase our knowledge of the development and organisation of the prehistoric landscape, and to enhance considerably our understanding of prehistoric social structures.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

The monument is recorded by the RCAHMS as NT33SW 3, 4, 5, 9, 16, 19, 23 and 28.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland