Condition

2
Broch, settlement, noosts
Iron Age
2820
Orkney

Description

This site has suffered further serious coastal erosion since it was examined in 1990. The relationship between the broch and the settlement centred on the house which is visible in section cannot be easily determined without recourse to excavation and should not be assumed to be of contemporary date: the extent of remains in this area may indicate that it was a focus of activity and occupation over a long duration. A more thorough assessment of the remains is now overdue and should be carried out without delay. (i) Part of a large overgrown mound, which probably originally measured up to 50m by 30m, stands up to 5m high. The seaward side of the mound has been removed by coastal erosion. There are traces of stone structural remains visible in the side and at the top of the mound. The coastal section in front of the mound is overgrown and disturbed, and although structural remains are visible, it is difficult to discern their nature. A cut feature, possibly a ditch, was noted to the southeast side of the mound and a series of upright slabs intervene between the mound and structure (ii). The scale and nature of this mound suggests that it covers a substantial building such as a broch. (ii) To the southeast side of the mound, there are extensive structural and midden deposits visible in section for almost 100m. The walls of a circular or sub-circular structure, some 12m in diameter, are exposed. The walls are up to 1.75m wide and protrude from the section at an oblique angle. The structure is filled with and covered by shell-rich deposits; an ard tip was also noted within these deposits. (ii) Two noosts, probably of 18th-20th C date, lie nearby. They measure approximately 2m by 6m, have pointed ends and are very overgrown. 06/07/2014 ShoreUPDATE More or less as described. No significant change from 1998 survey. Structural remains exposed in coast edge extend c. 25m eastwards of mound before merging into beach level. Photos numbered from east to west give details of exposed remains.

Location

346440.00
1044730.00
27700
59.2856331
-2.9417942

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
Mound showing 2 areas of erosion and eroding coast edge to the east 06/07/2014 Mound showing 2 areas of erosion and eroding coast edge to the east training1
Mound showing 2 areas of erosion and eroding coast edge to the east
General view looking WNW to show mound and eroding section 06/07/2014 General view looking WNW to show mound and eroding section training1
General view looking WNW to show mound and eroding section
4_Upright orthostats with infill walling. Extends onto the beach from the section 06/07/2014 4_Upright orthostats with infill walling. Extends onto the beach from the section training1
4_Upright orthostats with infill walling. Extends onto the beach from the section
3_Internal structural detail 06/07/2014 3_Internal structural detail training1
3_Internal structural detail
2_Easternmost wall of structure 06/07/2014 2_Easternmost wall of structure training1
2_Easternmost wall of structure
1_View of section through  sub-circular? structure 06/07/2014 1_View of section through sub-circular? structure training1
1_View of section through  sub-circular? structure
Eroding structural remains towards centre of mound 06/07/2014 Eroding structural remains towards centre of mound training1
Eroding structural remains towards centre of mound
Small area of eroding structural remains on east side of mound 06/07/2014 Small area of eroding structural remains on east side of mound training1
Small area of eroding structural remains on east side of mound
5_Possible ditch. Square profile and revetted with stone. 06/07/2014 5_Possible ditch. Square profile and revetted with stone. training1
5_Possible ditch. Square profile and revetted with stone.

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
1812 06/07/2014 training1
Tidal state Low
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Coastally eroding? active sea erosion; has eroded in the past
Visibility above ground Limited visibility (partial remains)
Visibility in section Limited visibility in section
Access accessible on foot (no footpath)
Local knowledge don't know
Description This site has suffered further serious coastal erosion since it was examined in 1990. The relationship between the broch and the settlement centred on the house which is visible in section cannot be easily determined without recourse to excavation and should not be assumed to be of contemporary date: the extent of remains in this area may indicate that it was a focus of activity and occupation over a long duration. A more thorough assessment of the remains is now overdue and should be carried out without delay. (i) Part of a large overgrown mound, which probably originally measured up to 50m by 30m, stands up to 5m high. The seaward side of the mound has been removed by coastal erosion. There are traces of stone structural remains visible in the side and at the top of the mound. The coastal section in front of the mound is overgrown and disturbed, and although structural remains are visible, it is difficult to discern their nature. A cut feature, possibly a ditch, was noted to the southeast side of the mound and a series of upright slabs intervene between the mound and structure (ii). The scale and nature of this mound suggests that it covers a substantial building such as a broch. (ii) To the southeast side of the mound, there are extensive structural and midden deposits visible in section for almost 100m. The walls of a circular or sub-circular structure, some 12m in diameter, are exposed. The walls are up to 1.75m wide and protrude from the section at an oblique angle. The structure is filled with and covered by shell-rich deposits; an ard tip was also noted within these deposits. (ii) Two noosts, probably of 18th-20th C date, lie nearby. They measure approximately 2m by 6m, have pointed ends and are very overgrown. 06/07/2014 ShoreUPDATE More or less as described. No significant change from 1998 survey. Structural remains exposed in coast edge extend c. 25m eastwards of mound before merging into beach level. Photos numbered from east to west give details of exposed remains.
This site has suffered from substantial loss in the past, but little change was observed between 1998 and 2014. The coast edge is generally of a low bedrock platform covered with till. Consider re-assigning as a Priority 2 site. The coast edge here is obviously vulnerable to extreme weather events, but is currently relatively stable. The remains upon the rock platform are elevated. The remains to the south east are at current storm beach level and are more vulnerable.

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