UK Act of Parliament 1979 United Kingdom

Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979

View on legislation.gov.uk →

At a glance

obligations: 23
penalties: 15
can imprison: 2
guides: 6

Enforced by

HES, Cadw

Source status

Primary legislation · United Kingdom · In force

Linked content

23 compliance obligations, 6 practical guides · 4 step-by-step journeys

Key facts and requirements

What this Act requires of businesses, grouped by the kind of obligation.

Inspections

Scottish Ministers may hold local inquiries regarding ancient monuments s.023

Notifications

Historical Commissions must notify owners of monument scheduling changes s.001
Historic Environment Scotland must maintain an inventory of gardens s.032
Secretary of State must maintain and notify owners of scheduled monuments s.001

Other requirements

Historic Environment Scotland must restrict the use of repeat stop notices s.009
Tribunal must determine compensation disputes s.047

Payments and fees

Courts must award compensation for monument damage to the relevant authority s.029
Historic Environment Scotland must compensate for stop notice losses s.009

Offences and prohibitions

Breach a temporary stop notice for a scheduled monument Unlimited fine s.009
Breach of a temporary stop notice for scheduled monuments Unlimited fine s.009
Breach of public access regulations at ancient monuments Fine up to £500 s.019
Carry out groundworks in archaeological areas without notice Unlimited fine s.035
Carry out unauthorised work on a scheduled monument Unlimited fine s.002

Record keeping

Historic Environment Scotland must maintain an inventory of battlefields s.032

View all 23 requirements

Step-by-step journeys using this legislation

Walkthroughs that take you from a real business situation to compliance.

Development affecting protected species in Scotland

Responding to a heritage enforcement notice in Scotland

Scottish heritage compliance quick check

Construction near a heritage site in Scotland

Relevant guidance

Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act.

Heritage and nature considerations in Scottish planning

Apply for scheduled monument consent in Scotland

Understanding heritage protection in Scotland

Heritage offences and penalties in Scotland

Scottish heritage compliance checklist for construction

Archaeological assessment for development in Scotland

Enforcement and responsible bodies

The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.

HES

Historic Environment Scotland

Investigates, cares for, and promotes Scotland's historic environment. Designates listed buildings, scheduled monuments, and conservation areas in Scotland.

Cadw

Welsh Government's historic environment service. Protects, conserves, and promotes historic buildings, ancient monuments, and historic landscapes in Wales.