Condition

2
Structure, mound and noost
Post-Medieval, Modern
295861
Orkney

Description

An unusual structure, which may be of early 18th C date is eroding over low banks. It is associated with a mound and a noost and may have served as a fishing booth or storehouse. The remains of several land drains are exposed in section in front of the structure. (i) A ruinous rectangular structure, measuring 4m by 9m, is located on the coast edge and has been damaged by coastal erosion. There is a door to the northeast corner and a window in the east wall. The walls are up to 1m thick and the window aperture is recessed and is smaller on the exterior than on the interior. There are hearths at either end of the building; both appear to be secondary additions. The walls stand up to 2.5m high at the gables and traces survive of a flagstone roof. (ii) An amorphous grass-covered mound lies to the north side of the structure (i). It measures 8m in diameter and stands up to 1m high. (iii) A noost is cut into the banks directly in front of the structure. It has drystone walls and terminates in a pointed end. It measures 2m in width and survives to a length of 2.5m, the remainder having been eroded away. It is up to 0.5m deep. ShoreUPDATE 12 May 2015 As described. The structure (i) is actively eroding, and the wall on on the seaward side has now been completely removed, creating section through middle of building. The noost (iii) is now nearly destroyed by erosion, only the upper pointed end survives for a length of approximately 1m. No other archaeological deposits were visible.

Location

347477.00
1044193.00
27700
59.2809448
-2.9234657

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
Branstone Hill general view of the coast edge 12/05/2015 Branstone Hill general view of the coast edge training1
Branstone Hill general view of the coast edge
Nether Brough view of the top end of the noost, nearly destryoed by erosion 12/05/2015 Nether Brough view of the top end of the noost, nearly destryoed by erosion training1
Nether Brough view of the top end of the noost, nearly destryoed by erosion
Branstone Hill general view of the site and the coast edge 12/05/2015 Branstone Hill general view of the site and the coast edge training1
Branstone Hill general view of the site and the coast edge
Building Hill building sectioned by sea 12/05/2015 Building Hill building sectioned by sea training1
Building Hill building sectioned by sea

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
2032 12/05/2015 training1
Tidal state Mid
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Coastally eroding? active sea erosion
Threats structural damage/decay
Visibility above ground Highly visible (substantial remains)
Visibility in section Clearly visible in section
Access accessible on foot (no footpath)
Description An unusual structure, which may be of early 18th C date is eroding over low banks. It is associated with a mound and a noost and may have served as a fishing booth or storehouse. The remains of several land drains are exposed in section in front of the structure. (i) A ruinous rectangular structure, measuring 4m by 9m, is located on the coast edge and has been damaged by coastal erosion. There is a door to the northeast corner and a window in the east wall. The walls are up to 1m thick and the window aperture is recessed and is smaller on the exterior than on the interior. There are hearths at either end of the building; both appear to be secondary additions. The walls stand up to 2.5m high at the gables and traces survive of a flagstone roof. (ii) An amorphous grass-covered mound lies to the north side of the structure (i). It measures 8m in diameter and stands up to 1m high. (iii) A noost is cut into the banks directly in front of the structure. It has drystone walls and terminates in a pointed end. It measures 2m in width and survives to a length of 2.5m, the remainder having been eroded away. It is up to 0.5m deep. ShoreUPDATE 12 May 2015 As described. The structure (i) is actively eroding, and the wall on on the seaward side has now been completely removed, creating section through middle of building. The noost (iii) is now nearly destroyed by erosion, only the upper pointed end survives for a length of approximately 1m. No other archaeological deposits were visible.
Remove from priorities

Pin It on Pinterest