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Ardestie is a souterrain situated 400 metres north-west of Mains of Ardestie in Angus, Scotland. This Iron Age underground structure is protected by Historic Environment Scotland as a scheduled monument under reference SM90021. Souterrains are distinctive subterranean passages, typically associated with Iron Age settlement sites across northern Britain, particularly in Scotland and the north of England.
The monument lies upon bedrock formed from Silurian to Devonian mafic lavas and tuffs, part of the geological foundation that characterises this region of Angus. This volcanic bedrock would have influenced both the construction techniques employed by Iron Age builders and the character of the surrounding landscape, which consists of rolling agricultural land.
The souterrain at Ardestie represents an important survival of Iron Age engineering and domestic practice. These structures, often constructed using stone or partially dug into the ground, served various purposes within Iron Age communities, possibly providing storage, refuge, or ritual functions. The preservation of this example contributes to our understanding of settlement patterns and construction methods used in eastern Scotland during the Iron Age period.
Ardestie, souterrain 400m NW of Mains of Ardestie is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM90021. View the official record →
Ardestie is a souterrain situated 400 metres north-west of Mains of Ardestie in Angus, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM90021.
Ardestie, souterrain 400m NW of Mains of Ardestie dates from the iron age period, and is classified as a souterrain 400m nw of mains of ardestie. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Ardestie, souterrain 400m NW of Mains of Ardestie is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM90021.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Lawhouses, unenclosed settlement E of (9 km), Fetterdale, unenclosed settlement 300m NW of (9.1 km), Lawhouses, enclosure 400m SE of (9.4 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Ardestie, souterrain 400m NW of Mains of Ardestie's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Ardestie, souterrain 400m NW of Mains of Ardestie stands on Unnamed Extrusive Rocks, Silurian To Devonian, bedrock that formed in the Devonian. The rock here is mafic lava and mafic tuff.