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Latitude: 57.6676 / 57°40'3"N
Longitude: -2.4096 / 2°24'34"W
OS Eastings: 375663
OS Northings: 864267
OS Grid: NJ756642
Mapcode National: GBR N8DG.BTT
Mapcode Global: WH8LX.YJRS
Entry Name: Law of Melrose, cairn
Scheduled Date: 8 December 2005
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Source ID: SM11022
Schedule Class: Cultural
Category: Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain)
Location: Gamrie
County: Aberdeenshire
Electoral Ward: Troup
Traditional County: Banffshire
The monument comprises a cairn of prehistoric date, visible as an upstanding earth-and-stone mound. Cairns such as this are funerary and ritual monuments built during the Early Bronze Age (c.2500-1500BC).
The monument lies at around 120m OD, in a prominent position on the summit of Law Hill where it commands extensive views of the surrounding area and also forms an important feature in the local landscape. The cairn is composed of earth and stones, measures approximately 28m in diameter and stands around 4m tall. Although a large section of the N side of the cairn has been removed, sufficient material remains for the monument to retain both its archaeological importance and the field characteristics which make it such a prominent local feature. Local tradition, recorded in the 19th century, states that the cairn was a site of execution in medieval times. While it is possible that this was the case, it is equally likely that the name 'Law Hill', meaning hill of the cairn or mound, has been misunderstood to give a spurious interpretation to the site's function.
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, measuring 40m in diameter and centred on the cairn, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
The monument is of national importance for its potential to contribute to our understanding of prehistoric ritual and funerary practices. It may be expected to contain funerary deposits and evidence relating to its mode of construction and use, and may also preserve evidence for contemporary landuse and environmental conditions.
The importance of this monument is further enhanced by its relationship to similar sites nearby: the cairn is one of a group of massive prehistoric burial mounds located in coastal Banffshire.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Bibliography
The monument is recorded by RCAHMS as NJ76SE3.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Other nearby scheduled monuments