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Souterrain, Eastern Cemetery, Arbroath is a subterranean stone-built structure of Iron Age date, located in Angus, Scotland. Souterrains are characteristic of northern and eastern Scotland and typically consist of stone-lined underground passages and chambers, often associated with settlement sites. This example lies within the Eastern Cemetery at Arbroath, where it was constructed by excavating into the local bedrock and building stone walls to create a covered passage. The underlying geology—Arbuthnott-Garvock Group sandstone with conglomerate, siltstone and mudstone of Pragian age—provided the natural substrate into which such subterranean structures were cut.
The precise function of souterrains remains debated among archaeologists, though they may have served as storage facilities, refuges, or ritual spaces within Iron Age communities. The proximity of this souterrain to the cemetery suggests a connection between the underground structure and burial practice, though such associations require careful interpretation of the archaeological record.
The monument is protected by Historic Environment Scotland as a scheduled monument under reference SM6641, ensuring its preservation and controlling any future investigation or disturbance of this important archaeological feature.
Souterrain, Eastern Cemetery, Arbroath is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM6641. View the official record →
Souterrain, Eastern Cemetery, Arbroath is a subterranean stone-built structure of Iron Age date, located in Angus, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM6641.
Souterrain, Eastern Cemetery, Arbroath 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 SM6641.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Arbroath Abbey and associated buildings, including the Abbot's House (1 km), Dickmount Law, cairn (1.7 km), David's Hill, enclosure (2 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Souterrain, Eastern Cemetery, Arbroath'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.
Souterrain, Eastern Cemetery, Arbroath stands on Arbuthnott-Garvock Group, bedrock that formed in the Pragian. The rock here is sandstone with subordinate conglomerate, siltstone and mudstone.