OS1/23/20/123
| List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brough (Continued) | two laid across as lintels, not unlike a window in the wall of a modern house. This leads to a chamber in the thickness of the wall, about 6 feet high ten feet long and 4 feet wide. The roof is constructed of large flat stones projecting inwards. Nearer the door there is another chamber in the wall exactly similar, only it has two openings, one into the central part of the building, and the other into the passage or doorway. There is no appearance of a window in the whole edifice, and it seems as if, in its original condition, the only light admitted was through the door, which is not more than 5 feet high by 3 feet wide. The great antiquity of the building appears from the fact of the builders not having known the principle of the arch. The probability is that it has existed for two thousand years, possible some centuries more and that it belongs to the Stone period of Archaeologists. On account of the ruinous Condition of the Structure since the above was compiled the Chamber described (although still existing) Cannot be so well defined. On the east side of the building and close to the door there is an under-ground Chamber or Cellar, the floor which is on a level with the foundation of the main building is about ten feet Square and the height of the Chamber six feet. From this Chamber there is an underground passage leading through the door into the main building. The masonry of the main building which is of a circular form raises perpendicular to the height of about 20 feet and is thoroughly fortified on the outside by ramparts of earth and loose stones: there is also a Stone Stair in the South-west Side of the building leading from the foundation of the inner Circle to the top of the perpendicular wall. It is the general belief of the Authorities given that this building was a place of refuge used by the ancient inhabitants of the island for Concealing themselves and their Cattle from their enemies. |
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Parish of South Ronaldshay Burray, OrkneySigned William Fraser C/A
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