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10th August 1910.
Bicycled with J. & Mr Weir, my
learned assistant towards the N. [North] end of Loch
Calder. At Westfield I called on Mr. Campbell
ground officer for the Forse Estate and
explained my business. He showed me a
sandstone whorl with a dia. [diameter] of about 1 1/2”
pierced with three holes in line, the perfor:
:ations being made from both sides. I
suggested he should give it to the Museum
which I think he will.
Hill of Leurary Hut (31)
At the N. [North] end of the top of the Hill of Leurary
are the remains of a small circular hut
with an interior diameter of 7’ by 8’. The
bank, which has been formed entirely of turf,
is much worn down and measures about
6’ in width. The Entrance has been from the
E.S.E. [East South East] and 2’ wide.
Long Cairn Loch Calder (30) “Tulach an T’Sionnaich”
At the N. [North] end of Loch Calder and about
100 yds. [yards] from the turn of the E. [East] shore is
a long cairn completely overgrown with
vegetation. Its main axis lies WNW [West North West] and ESE [East South East]
and its broader end is in the latter direction.
The total length is 195’: the width at the
WNW. [West North West] extremity 28’ and at the ESE. [East South East] 53’.
The greatest elevation is about 6’. There
are no surface indications of the existence
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of horns. Along both sides at irregular inter:
:vals the top of upright slabs protrude set with
their faces in line of the direction of the cairn and
probably marking its outline. At 40’ from the
WNW. [West North West] end near the medial line of the cairn an upright slab measuring 4’ across
and another inclined at an angle towards it
indicate the position of a cist or chamber.
At several points stone has been removed
and a trench has been excavated right across
at about 50’ from the ESE [East South East] end. The cairn
otherwise does not seem to have been excavated.
Mounds Loch Calder (8)
At the N. [North] end of Loch Calder, towards the E [East] side
and about 100 yds. [yards] from the shore are two
Mounds overgrown with vegetation and
standing within 100 yds. [yards] of each other. The
character of both is obscure. The westmost
which is the largest measures over all 112’
by 87’ and has an elevation of about 12’.
Over the surface are a number of small
circular depressions measuring about 6’
in diameter and one or two of large dimensions
all semingly connected. The mound shows
no indication of its being a cairn nor does
it suggest a broch structure. If it is a
broch it has a number of secondary con:
:structions built on the top of the ruin.
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In appearance it bears a resemblance to the
structures near Dunbeath p. [page] 93 (Nos 93 & 94)
The Eastmost Mound has a diameter of
66’ by 60’ and is of low elevation. An entrance
passage visible at its inner end where it is 3’ in
width leads inwards from the N. [North]. In the
interior a number of large thin slabs set on
end protrude from the turf at various points,
and one pointed stone such as is used to form a pillar
in a galleried house. The number and
position of the slabs do not suggest a
chambered cairn and the remains are
probably those of a dwelling of some sort.
Their dwellings seem to be akin to the secondary
structures so frequently found in this county
surrounding the brochs.
Cairn. Westfield (26)
At the edge of a grass park some 3/4 m. [mile] SW. [South West]
of Westfield House and about 160 yds. [yards] to the S. [South]
of the Forse Water is a cairn entirely overgrown
with grass. It has a diameter of about 36’
and an elevation of 3’.6”. The top of a
large slab protruding near the centre
suggests that it is of a chambered character.
About 100 yds [yards] to the N. [North] of the last and
about 60 yds. [yards] back from the Forse Water
on the top of the bank is a circular mound
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overgrown with grass which is evidently a
cairn. It measures in diameter about 36’
and in elevation about 5’.
Broch Knockglas (25)
Rising from the cultivated fields about 1/4 m. [mile]
SW. [South West] of the ? Mill of Knockglass and some 80 yds. [yards]
back from the N. [North] bank of the Forse Water is
a high grassy hillock on the top of which
are the remains of a broch. The portion of
the Mound containing the ruins has a
diameter of about 70’ and an elevation of
about 8’. No part of the structure is visible
at any point. Between the base of the broch
and the edge of the lower slope of the Mound
there appears to have existed the usual terrace.
The highest elevation of the whole Mound is
from 16’ to 17’.
Broch Site Knockglas (27)
In a meadow by the left bank of the Forse
Water about 3/4 m. [mile] above the Mill of Knockglas
is a small fragment of a building. The character
& curve of the wall suggest that it is
the remains of a broch.
Westfield St. Trostan’s Chapel. S. [Site] & Font.
Built into the SE. [South East] wall of the graveyard
at Westfield is evidently the font of the
church or chapel which formerly stood here
It is an oval block of sandstone rounded
at the bottom 22” in length 17” in breadth,
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and 13” in depth. The basin, which is also
oval, measures 12 1/2 “ by 11” and is 8” deep.
Having learned from Mr. Campbell that
human remains had been recently found near
the site of a cairn at Achscrabster quarries
I bicycled thither but failed to locate anything
of interest.
11th August 1910.
A long wearisome drive in a comfortless
dogcart to Shurrery. At Shurrery Mr.
William Farquhar whose croft is behind the
church had two remarkable stones which
he found in his field about 100 yds. [yards] to the
NE. [North East] at a depth of about 1 1/2’ below the surface of the ground
They are irregularly shaped quadrangular blocks
of sandstone about 2’ long, 1’ broad and
5” to 6” thick. Near the upper end of one block
and near the centre of the other have been
worked holes from either side in directly
opposing directions, some 2” in diameter at
the mouth and gradually diminishing inwards.
The holes are from 1 1/2“ to 3 1/2“ in depth.
In the centre of each hole has been left a
small truncated cone about 1” in height
and 1” in diameter. There is space of
about 8” on the surface between the outer lip of the holes
in each case and in each case their
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[Opposite page - Photograph inserted]
direction is diagonally through the stone.
The direction of each pair of holes indicates
that perforation was aimed at but why in each
instance the small cone should have been left
is difficult to understand. From the coincidence
of four examples and the apparent calculated
opposition of the holes in each stone
a natural origin can not be considered
possible. So much puzzled was I
that I carried off one block in the dog
-cart to send to Dr. [Doctor] Anderson!
? Cairn Shurrery (45) See p. [page] 80
Between the church at Shurrery and the
house of Mr. William Farquhar in rear of
it is a large cairn like heap of stones.
From E. [East] to W. [West] it measures some 90’ and
from N [North] to S. [South] about the same but the building
of the church and the operations on the croft
have probably curtailed its dimensions in
the latter directions. The elevation is
from 6’ to 7’. Along the E. [East] side towards
the N [North] end four large slabs stand exposed
against the cairn with their faces
parallel, and one similar slab in the row
lies fallen. They measure from 4’ to 5’ in
height above ground – 3’ to 4’ in breadth
& about 10” in thickness. If the fallen
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stone was re-created they would stand from
4’ to 5’ apart. The direction of the line they
form is N [North] and S. [South] and protruding from the
top of the cairn to the S. [South] of the fifth stone
are other three similar stones continuing the line.
On the W. [West] side of the cairn at 14’ and 18’ dis:
:tant from members of the row opposite two slabs
similarly set appear to belong to a parallel
row. There is no clue to the character of
this construction. The size & form of the
upright slabs and their distance from each
other in the row is almost identical with these features
of the stone setting at Achkinloch, Rangag.
Standing Stone Shurrery (46)
Some 300 yds. [yards] SSE. [South South East] of the church at Shurrery
is a standing stone. It is a broad angular
slab pointed upwards measuring 3’.6” in height, 4’ in breadth
at the centre, 2’.8” in breadth at the base and 1’.4” in
thickness. It faces NE. [North East] and SW. [South West] At
147’ to the NE. [North East] of it a pointed stone
set on end protrudes some 2’ from the
peat in which it is firmly set.
? Cairn Shurrery. (47)
About 1/4 m. [mile] SE. [South East] of the church are the
inconsiderable remains of a circular
construction which has been recently
demolished for road metal. It has
a diameter of about 90’. In the interior
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are still remaining a number of large upright
slabs set on their edge appearing to form parts
of five or six different rows set parallel at
about 5’ from each other. The longest slab
is 7’.3” in length, some of them have been broken
and merely protrude above the ground. The
condition of the monument, unfortunately
renders the planning of it useless. It is
impossible to say whether the ring of
stones which remains to mark the outer
limits has been constructed or not.
? Stone Circle Remains Shurrery (Unnoted)
About 120 yds. [yards] S. [South] of the church at Shurrery
are two pointed stones set on end, the
Eastmost measuring 3’.6” in breadth at base, 2’.2” in
height and 1’ in thickness and the other 3’.2”
in breadth, 2’ in height. They stand 11’.4” apart
at slightly divergent angles and appear to
have formed part of a stone circle. The
ground in front where the rest of the
circle would have stood has been dug
for peats. Both stones stand with their
faces in line of the presumed circumference.
Footmark Port an eilein (Unnoted)
On the W [West] end of the summit of the hill of Port
-an-eilein about 1/2 to 3/4 m. [mile] NE. [North East] of Shurrery
church is a flat exposed rock surface
measuring some 10’ square
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Cairn at Shurrery.
destroyed by the road contractor.
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See plan made
with Prof. [Professor] Bryce on second
visit. This is un:
:doubtedly a chambered cairn
probably of plan
similar to that
behind the church.
^ if the rows are considered as lying in the
direction of the long axis of the slabs. If
however as in the previous case the rows
are formed of slabs set with their faces across
the direction of the rows then there appear
to be the remains of three or four rows.
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“Clach-na-luirg”.
or
”Lorg-an-fhiannaidh”
“The stone of the footprint
or
The footprint of the Giant.”
Towards the N [North] end near the mesial line
there has been hollowed out the impression
of a human left foot. It is exactly 12”
in length. 6” in breadth across the sole and
4 1/2” across the heel, while the depth of the
depression is about 1 1/4“. The foot is regularly
shaped, the arch below the instep and the
narrowing of the sole at that point being
clearly indicated. The artificial character
of the mark seems quite obvious. It is
set exactly N & S. [North & South] Magnetic. i.e. N. [North] 18º W [West]
and S. [South] 18º E [East].
? cists Shurrery.
On the NE. [North East] side of the road from Shurrery
to Brawlbin about 1/2 m. [mile] SE. [South East] of Shurrery
church at the W. [West] end of a low natural ridge
are the remains of three small cist like
compartments formed of flags set on end.
The best preserved is near the centre of the
ridge. The flags of which it is formed stand
1’.2” above the ground level on the outside
but in the interior are exposed to a height of
2’.9”. One side slab and the two end slabs
remain. The length is 3’.8” and the breadth
of the end slabs. 2’ & 2’.8”. The main axis
lies NNW. and SSE. [North North West and South South East]. Some 10’ to the NW [North West]
and the same distance to the SE [South East] are
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the remains of similar cist-like constructions.
There is no sign of the existence of a cairn
or mound.
Foundations (57. & 58)
On the low side of the road from Shurrery to
Brawlbin about 1 m. [mile] S.E [South East] of the church at
the former place are the sites of two constructions
presumably prehistoric. Being entirely over:
:grown with a deep sward their character
is not evident.
Brawlbin (59)
In a field about 1/2 m. [mile] SSW. [South South West] of Brawlbin
is the site of some construction removed in
the course of cultivation.
(Omit) Brawlbin ? (66)
About 1.m [mile] SW. [South West] of Brawlbin Farm on the
moor is a green mound. It is evidently
stony and has the appearance of a cairn.
In diameter it measures over all 50’ and
in elevation about 6’. On the top is a
slight circular depression some 12’ - 13’ in
diameter. Facing ENE [East North East] some 16’ in
from the outer edge an entrance is exposed
3’.6” in width passing beneath a lintel
8’.4” in length. 2’.10” in breadth and 9”
in thickness. Immediately in rear of this
lintel is a second similar in length &
breadth but 1’.9” in thickness. The
sides of the passage supporting these
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[Opposite page - text inserted] In rear of the back lintel 2 upright flags
set edgeways to the wall of the passage are
visible
massive blocks of stone are built and are
exposed for a length of 6’.6”. The entrance
is filled to a height of 1’.7” from the lintel.
The uncovered upper sides of the lintel are
almost level with the top of the mound
and there is no indication of any
superstructure. The inner side of the
back lintel is 28’ distant from the edge
of the mound at the back. If this is
a chambered cairn the height & width of
the entrance passage is very remarkable.
There is no indication of excavation.
Some 60’ to the N. [North] are the indefinite remains
of another construction of slight elevation
and entirely overgrown with turf. From
the surface here and there the heads of
thin slabs set on end protrude but
without excavation the plan and character
of the construction cannot be determined.
Brawlbin Horned long Cairn (unnoted)
On the moor of Brawlbin about 100 yds. [yards]
NW. [North West] of Loch a Mhuilinn are the remains
of a horned long cairn. It lies with
its longest axis NNE [North North East] and SSW [South South West], rising
and expanding in the former direction.
The body of the cairn except the
high portion at the NNE. [North North East] end which
probably contains the chamber has
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been simply eradicated for the sake of its
stones a mere line along each side only
being left. At the SSW [South South West] end the existence
of the horns is apparent but as they are
entirely overgrown their exact dimensions are
not accurately obtainable without excavation.
The distance between what appears to be
their outer points is 45’ and the length
thence to the centre of that end of the cairn is
28’. At the NNW. [North North West] end the horns are not
evident. The total length of the cairn
is some 200’. Its breadth at the NNW [North North West] end
54’ and across the body at the SSE [South South East] end
30’. The elevation at the former end is about 10.’
A slight circular depression about 8’ in
diameter at the high end probably indicates
the position of the chamber. On the
W. [West] side towards the S. [South] end the outer
constructional wall is still quite evident.
Some 60’ from the SSE [South South East] end a large upright
slab standing at right angles to the main
axis possibly indicates the site of a
chamber.
Fort Brawlbin (4)
Occupying the N. [North] end of an eminence that
rises from the moor of Brawlbin about 3/4 m. [mile]
SSE. [South South East] of Shurrery church is a prehistoric fort.
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[Opposite page - text inserted] At the S. [South] end of the low ridge on which
the fort stands are the indefinite remains
of a small structure apparently circular.
It is circular in form subtended on the S. [South] by
a straight side and is surrounded by a
stone wall some 6’ to 7’ in thickness and
about 2’ in height on the external face.
It measures interiorly [--] from N to S [North to South] by
[--] from E to W. [East to West] (O.S. [Ordnance Survey] measurements) An angle
in the wall on the W. [West] side suggests the position
of an entrance and a large slab protruding across
the wall at the NE [North East] may indicate the situation of
another. The principal entrance, however, appears
to have been from the SE. [South East] through the wall
immediately to the S. [South] of the large circular enclos:
:ure abutting on it towards the S. [South] end of the E [East]
side. This entrance appears to have been 4’ in width. The
circular enclosure referred to is entered from
the E [East] and measures interiorly 27’ x 32’.
It is surrounded by a stone wall, now ruined,
some 7’.6” in thickness. The interior of this
enclosure has been excavated to a depth
of several feet at the back so as to bring
the floor to the level of the entrance on the
lower slope of the hill. Within the interior
of the fort at the SW. [South West] angle some 15’ back
from the wall are the remains of a
small circular enclosure with a diameter
over all of some 25’. It has been entered
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from the SE. [South East]. In the interior the wall is visible
for a height of about 1’.6” and suggest a “beehive” structure. There appears to be
two small chambers to the right and left of the end
of the entrance passage about 5’ in diameter but the plan is not clear.
Creagan Tigh a’ bheannaich
At the croft of Tigh a bheannaich, Shurrery,
about 100 yds [yards] back from the river is a low
stony mound from which a number of
large stones protrude through the turf. It
is said to be the site of a graveyard but
more resembles the ruin of some primitive
dwelling such as are to be found in the
neighbourhood. The name suggests a primitive oratory or church cf. Tigh Beanachadh in Gallan Head, Lewis,
Foundation Shurrery (51)
On the W. [West] side of the road about 600 yds [yards] N. [North] of
the N. [North] end of Loch Shurrery are the remains
of a large, oval, many chambered construction.
Over all it measures 88’ from E to W. [East to West] by
56’ from N to S. [North to South] Numerous large pointed
stones protrude irregularly through the turf
At the E [East] side the outline of an oblong com:
:partment some 23’ in length by 10' in breadth
is apparent the wall of which at one end built
of very large stones still stands to a height of
about 3’. The outlines of foundations visible
on the turf seem to indicate a number of
small oblong compartments with probably
a circular one in the centre but without
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excavation the plan cannot be definitely determined.
Shurrery. (53)
On the E [East] side of the road some 200 yds [yards] N. [North] of
the N. [North] end of Loch Shurrery is a circular con:
:struction surrounded by a stone wall some
6’ in thickness. The entrance appears to have
been from the SE. [South East] and the interior diameter
is about 26’. Opening out of the main
enclosure towards the W. [West] and NW. [North West] have
been small circular enclosures of indefinite
diameter. The whole structure is much
overgrown.
Foundations (52)
On the left bank of the Forss water about 1/2
m. [mile] down from Loch Shurrery is a mound
covered with the indefinite ruins of some
primitive construction. It has been much
quarried for stones and the plan is no
longer evident. It has not the appearance
of a broch though the small piece of wall
visible on the S. [South] has the character of the
wall of such a structure. There appears
to have been a main central circular
area with a diameter of 24’. entered from
the W. [West] with various chambers opening off it
To the N. [North] are the ruins of several small
detached buildings
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Torrovaich Shurrery (50)
Some 200 yds [yards] ENE. [East North East] of the shepherd’s house at
Torrovaich and just outside the wall of an
enclosed park are the ruins of a large
circular construction in the building of
which stones of great size have been em:
:ployed. It has been circular with a
diameter over all of 53’. The entrance has
been from the NW. [North West] measuring 2’ in width
at its outer extremity and the passage wall
is evident on the right for a distance of 10’.
On the left side it is less well preserved.
On that side there appears to be an entrance
to a chamber. The inner face of the wall is
not visible. The number of large flat slabs
lying exposed over the surface and certain
features of the ruin suggest that possibly
it is not that of a broch. The elevation
is some 4’ to 5’ at most.
Tigh a Bheannach (49)
About 1/4 m. [mile] down the the Forse Water
from Tigh a’ bheanniach on the same side of
the river are the indefinite remains of a
large circular construction. A number
[Margin] ? a primitive oratory or hermits house like that on p. [page] 14 [Initialled] J.C.
of large slabs set upright protrude irregu:
:larly over the surface but there are
no indications of either either the character
or plan of the construction. It appears
to have belonged to the same class as
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some of the others in the district. Re:
:turning to Shurrery we loaded up with
one of the curious holed stones and had
a cold and tedious drive back to Thurso
which we reached about 8. o’clock.
12th Augt. [August] 1910.
A thoroughly wet day which gave me an
opportunity of writing up my journal.
13th Augt. [August] 1910. Broch Geise (10)
Off on bicycle at 10.0.
At the edge of a field beside the Geise burn
about 1/4 m. [mile] W. [West] by S. [South] of Geise is a mound
overgrown with grass. It appears to have
been a broch but it has been quarried
into at some time & the greater part of the
structure has been removed so that
there is now no definite indication of its character
Skinnet Chapel Sculptured Stone (unnoted)
Standing some 6’ out from the S. [South] wall of the
ruined church of Skinnet and towards the W. [West]
end of it, is an upright slab measuring
4’.11” in height above ground, 2’.9” in breadth
and 5” in thickness. On the W. [West] face are the
remains of an equal linked celtic cross.
Only the upper arm remains at all perfect,
the rest of the cross being almost effaced owing
to the flaking of the surface of the stone.
The arm expands upwards, is 1’ in length
and 1’.3 1/2” broad at its outer end. Its
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[Opposite page - sketch and text inserted] – There is at the British Linen Bank, House, Thurso
a rough ovoid stone meas. [measuring] 1’.6” x 1’.3” with a hollow basin
8” x 9” in dia. [diameter] & 7” in depth which was
brought from the chapel and has probably
been a piscine or a holy water stoup of rude workmanship.
width at the point of intersection is 2”
The arms radiate from a central boss 2 1/2” in diameter
It is convex at the extremity. It is surrounded
by a single moulding and contains a
triquetra knot of interlaced ornament.
Chapel. St. Thomas’s. Skinnet.
Situated about 1/3 m. [mile] to the NE. [North East] of Skinnet
Farm & about 4 m. [miles] S. [South] of Thurso are the ruins of the chapel of St. Thomas.
It is now much ruined. The S. & W. [South and West] walls vary in
height from 3’ to 7’, the N. [North] wall is reduced to
2’ or 3’ as is also the greater part of the E. [East] wall.
In plan the building has been of the chancelled
type measuring interiorly 59’.6” in length. Whereof
the nave measured 38’ x 16’ and the chancel
about 21’ by 13’. the diminution of the width being caused by the [--] of the N. [North] wall only
The walls which have been
built with clay for mortar, are 3’.6” in thickness.
The entrance to the church has been through the S [South] Wall at 12’ from
the SW. [South West] corner and has been 3’ in width while
an entrance to the chancel near its W. [West] end
has also been through the S. [South] wall. In
the S. [South] wall of the nave have been two
small oblong windows 1’.9” in height by
7” in width passing straight through the wall
for 1’.2” and immediately widening thereafter
to 3’. A similar window has existed in
the S. [South] wall of the chancel.
At the SW. [South West] corner of the building on the
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outside a pillar roughly & perhaps naturally rounded stands about
2’ above ground. I could find no artificial
markings on it as far as exposed. In the
graveyard of St. Trostans I observed two similar
stones laid horizontally but this had probably
been done during some recent levelling of the
graveyard. There are very few old stones
in these churchyards bearing the emblems
so familiar in the South country gravestones.
In the low lying ground some 3/4 m. [mile] NE [North East] of
Skinnet farm house, and about 200 yds. [yards] W. [West] of
the Thurso River is a circular enclosure.
Over all it measures some 48’ by 53’ with the
longest axis NE [North East] and SW. [South West]. There is a hollow
towards the SW. [South West] which may mark the
position of the entrance but the surface
is entirely covered with thick turf and details
of the interior plan are quite obscure.
Scrabster Broch (6)
On the summit of an eminence in a
grass park about 1/2 m. [mile] NW [North West] of Scrabster
House are the remains of a broch of slight
elevation and overgrown with turf. The
diameter seems to be about 54’ but no
part of the structure is visible.
Bishop’s Castle (S) [Site] 5.
On a low promontory rock rising from
the shore about 1/2 m. [mile] to the W. [West] of Thurso
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[Continued from page 19]
[Opposite page - text inserted] Thurso (24)
An old roadway cut in the face of the
bank between the Ruins of the Bishop’s Castle
and the [--] burn at Scrabster House is
known as the Bishop’s Walk.
are the fragmentary ruins of the castle of
the Bishops of Caithness. The ruins of
a wall at the edge of the rock and the founda:
:tions of one or two buildings which have surrounded
the courtyard are all that remains.
Holborn Head Fort. (1)
Across the landward end of the Eastmost
promontory of the headland are the ruins
of a broad defensive wall built of the
shaley slabs that outcrop in profusion all
around. In several places the outer
face of the wall is exposed for a height
of from 2’ to 3’ but for the most part it
is covered with debris or in ruins. The
actual thickness of the wall is doubtful
but it appears to have been 7’ or 8’. In
front of this defence the neck of the pro:
:montory is cut into from either side
by deep narrow chasms into which
the waves break reducing the
passage way to about 60 yds. [yards]. The entrance
through the wall has been opposite
this passage.
15 Augt. [August] 1910.
A low glass and a threatening looking
morning. Started in a trap for Shurrig
but the weather being so uncertain we
turned our attention to the hill of Shebster
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[Continued from page 20]
nearer to the road.
Hill of Shebster (28).
On the S. [South] end of the hill of Shebster to the
East of the church and some 200 yds. [yards] N. [North] of
the road is the site of a cairn. Material
has been removed from it quite recently.
Some 40 yds. [yards] to the E [East] of it is a small low
cairn or mound with a diameter of about 16’. In the
centre there is exposed a cist lying E [East] and
W. [West] The slab at the W. [West] end has been removed
as well as the covering slab. It measures
4’.3” in length to the W. [West] end of the side slabs
and 1’.8” in breadth.
On the slope of the hill to the S. [South] are
the remains of other two or three stoney mounds.
Hill of Shebster (27)
At the SE. [South East] end of the Hill of Shebster
and about 100 yds. [yards] N. [North] of the upper end of the
W. [West] wall of the cultivated & enclosed parks at
Shebster are the ruins of a circular en:
:closure. The construction overall has a
diameter of some 58’ and an elevation
of 4’. It is entirely overgrown with thick
turf and its character obscured. There
is no indication of its having been a broch
but it more resembles the contructions
found near Shurrery.
Foundations.
Some 80 yds. [yards] to the Westward are the
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[Page 22]
[Continued from page 21]
[Opposite page - sketch inserted]
foundations of an oval or circular construc:
:tion with a diameter of 40’ or thereby. There
are a number of small circular depressions
of some 5’ or thereby in diameter in the interior
but the whole is overgrown with thick turf
and the plan & character quite obscure.
Hill of Shebster Chambered Cairn
On the summit of the Hill of Shebster some
?400’ above sea level and and occupying a con:
:spicuous position are the remains of a large
chambered cairn. The cairn has been almost
all cleared away except a small portion, some
5’ in height near the centre and evidently containing
the ruins of a part of the chamber. The diameter
of the cairn has been between 80’ & 90’. A
number of thin slabs protrude from the debris
indicating the position and extent of the
chamber. The highest of these slabs is only some
2’.6” above the present level & the others merely pro:
:trude. The passage seems to have entered
from ESE [East South East] and the main axis of the chamber
has been from WNW to ESE. [West North West] to [East South East]. At 30’ in from
the edge of the cairn in the former direction is
the top of a slab set on end 4’ in length which
apparently marks the back of the chamber. Large
slabs set at right angles to the direction evidently
forming portals seem to indicate the existence
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[Continued from page 22]
of four compartment and a total length of 23' for
the chamber. Two small stones 7' apart
are evidently in the wall of the passage.
A little excavation would no doubt furnish the
complete plan of the chamber.
Cairn Achiesbreskill. (24)
On the slope of the hill to the E [East] of Shebster
Hill and by the side of a peat road leading
from the yellow moss to Achreamie is a
grassy hillock which appears to be a cairn
It has a diameter of 81' and an elevation
of from 6' to 8'. There is no sign of excavation.
"Na Tri Sithean" Cnoc Freicedain. Horned Long Cairn (17)
On the top of the summit to the N. [North] of the
Hill of Shebster called Cnoc Freicedain
is a horned long cairn one of the finest
examples of this class of cairn in the county apparently
unexcavated. Being over:
:grown with turf the exact configuration
and measurements of the horns are not obtainable
but there existence is quite evident. The
cairn lies with its longest axis WNW. [West North West] and
ESE. [East South East] and has an extreme length from
tip to tip of horns of 255'. The main body
measures from 37' to 40' in
breadth, and 4' to 5' in elevation. It expands
and rises towards both ends but to the
greater extent towards the ENE [East North East]. In that
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[Continued from page 23]
direction the expansion commences some 70'
from the end & increases to a breadth of 60
and a height of 10'. The horns at this end
appear to be about 28' in length and to terminate
obtusely. The distance between their outer ex:
:tremities is some 73' and from the centre
of the concave outline of the cairn, 38' or 39'.
Towards the WNW. [West North West] the expansion & increase
of elevation begins about 40' from the end
and increases to 56'
in breadth and 7' in height.
The general appearance is that of a second
circular cairn set on the low extremity of a long
one. In rear of it is a slight trench across the
body of the cairn.
The horns seem
to be shorter than at the opposite end and to
measure about 15' in length. The distance between
their outer extremities is about 60' and
from the centre of the concavity of the cairn 33'.
The facing wall
is visible on the S. [South] side towards the ESE [East South East] end.
A certain amount of quarrying has been done
at both ends and at no distant date, but
there is no evidence of the excavation of the
chamber or chambers.
At this point owing to the drenching rain
accompanied by half a gale of wind I had
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[Continued from page 24]
[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
to give up work for the day.
16th Augt. [August] 1910.
Another very wet-looking morning. Hired
out to Shebster again and came in for a terrific
shower on the way. The weather for the last
month has been most disagreeable.
Horned long Cairn Cnoc Freicedain
About 100 yds [yards] N. [North] of the E. [East] end of the last long
cairn is another of similar type stretching along
the crest of the hill as it begins to slope towards
the NNE. [North North East]. It lies NNE. and SSW. [North North East and South South West] and rises
in height and increases in breadth towards the
latter direction. The horns at that extremity are
not apparent on the surface but at the NNE [North North East]
end they are both visible, and that on the E [East] has
been exposed to some extent by the removal of
the turf. The total length irrespective of the
horns at the SSW. [South South West] end is some 240'. The greatest
width at the SSW [South South West] is 53' and the elevation some 8'.
The cairn begins to expand at about 60' from
the end. Immediately in rear of the expanded
head, which rises almost like a separate cairn,
is a slight depression or trench across the body
which, however, is probably secondary. The
breadth of the body of the cairn is about 35'
and its elevation 4'. All along its length
are small pits from which stones have
been quarried. The width of the
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[Continued from page 25]
terminal portion towards the NNE [North North East] is 37' and its
elevation about 4', but as three large slabs set
on end protrude for about 1'.6" through the turf
indicating the existence of a chamber, it has
formerly been higher. The length of the horns
is about 20': the distance between their outer
extremities 46': and thence to the centre of the
concavity at that end of the cairns 29'. The
SSW. [South South West] end shows no signs of excavation and
the whole cairn is overgrown with turf.
The O.S. [Ordnance Survey] indicates "standing stones" besides these
cairns but none were observed except those
protruding from the denuded chamber at the
NNW. [North North West] end of the second cairn.
Cairn Achreamie. (22).
In an enclosed area of moorland about 1/2 m. [mile]
S. [South] of Achreamie School are the remains of a
small round cairn. It has a diameter of
about 35' and an elevation of about 3'. Much
of it has been removed but neither cist nor
chamber has been exposed.
Stone Rows Upper Dounreay.
[Opposite page - text inserted] This description will require to be rewritten
from the plan.
In a hollow at the N. [North] end of Cnoch Freicedain
about 3/4 m. [mile] E [East] of Upper Dounreay is a
setting of stone rows. The rows, of which
there appear to have been thirteen lie in
a general direction NW & SE. [North West & South East] diverging
somewhat towards the latter direction.
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[Continued from page 26]
and curving slightly inwards from either side
towards the central row. The stones are of the
usual character, thin slabs protruding to about
1 1/2' above ground, set with their faces across the
rows. Many of the stones are displaced and many
sunk beneath the surface. The stones are
placed some 5' to 6' apart and rows 6' - 8'.
The number of stones in each row visible and in
situ appears to be as follows.
1st row counting from the S [South] 5 stones
2nd row counting from the S [South] 9 stones
3rd row counting from the S [South] 7 stones
4th row counting from the S [South] 8 stones
5th row counting from the S [South] 7 stones
6th row counting from the S [South] 7 stones
7th row counting from the S [South] 4 stones
8th row counting from the S [South] 6 stones
9th row counting from the S [South] 4 stones
10th row counting from the S [South] 5 stones
11th row counting from the S [South] 2 stones
12th row counting from the S [South] 3 stones
13th ?
[Inserted note ] See plan
The width across the rows at the narrow end
of the monument has been some 86'. and at
the broad end about 110'. The greatest length of
a row is 112'. At about 9' back from
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[Continued from page 27]
from the westmost stone of the centre row is a
setting of four stones from 1' to 1'.2" in length and
the same in height above ground placed so that
they form a somewhat irregular square of 4'.
They are not set in the same direction as the
rows but inclining towards the centre row at
an angle of about 30 degrees. It is possible that this
has nothing to do with the stone rows but its
purpose is obscure. Across the centre line
has been excavated an oblong pit such as might
have contained a cist but, if such existed,
no remains of it are visible. This
monument must be surveyed and thereafter
the foregoing description corrected.
On the top of a bank to the W. [West] of the
stone rows there are remains of two constructions
which may have been small hut circles or
mounds but their character is now indefinite.
[Margin] Horned round Cairn (20.)
On the W. [West] end of a slight ridge about 1/2 m. [mile]
E [East] of Upper Dounreay are the remains of a
horned round cairn. The heads of three
large slabs protrude from the centre indica:
:ting the position of the chamber otherwise the
whole cairn is overgrown with grass.
The diameter of the body of the cairn has
been about 42'. The main axis of the chamber
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[Continued from page 28]
has been WNW. [West North West] and ESE. [East South East] but there is no sign of the
direction of the entrance passage. The horns have
been some 22' in length and 17' in breadth at
base while the distance between their extremities
towards the WNW [West North West] has been 40'. At 13' from
the outer end of the S. [South] horn, laid at right angles
to its direction, has been a cist. One end and one
side, consisting of single slabs remain showing
a length of 3'.9" and a width of 1'.8". The upper
edge of the slabs is level with the present surface
and they are exposed for a height of some 8".
[Margin] Standing Stone Upper Dounreay. (16)
[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
In a grass park 1/2 m [mile] E. [East] of Upper Dounreay
and about 200 yds. [yards] W. [West] of the horned round cairn
is a large standing stone. It is a slab of sand:
:stone, slightly pointed at the upper end, 6'.7"
in height above ground, 4'.2" in breadth and
1' in thickness. It faces ESE. [East South East] and WNW. [West North West].
[Margin] Standing Stone Upper Dounreay. (19)
Some 300 yds [yards] ESE. [East South East] of the farm house of Upper
Dounreay is a large columnar boulder in
the middle of a corn field. It is now tilted
considerably towards the W. [West]. It is roughly
quadrangular measuring 6' in length by
2'.4" or thereby across each face.
This has been another very showery day.
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[Continued from page 29]
17th Augt. [August] 1910.
Another indifferent day. Hired a trap &
took S. [Sandy] with me.
Thurso Thingsva' Broch. (2)
At the edge of the moorland towards the S. [South]
end of Scrabster Hill is the broch of Thingsva.
It has stood in the centre of a mound cut
off from the higher level to the N. [North] by a ditch
some 30' in width and 8' in depth below
the top of the scarp & about 4' below the
top of the bank above the counterscarp. The
broch has occupied the centre of the mound
some 18' to 20' back from the edge of the
ditch. It has been partially excavated.
The entrance passage has been from the SE. [South East] and
appears to have been 15' in length and 3'.6"
in width at the outer end. At 3'.10" inwards
is a rebate for a door faced with slabs set
edgeways into the wall constricting the passage
to 2'.10" between them. The width in rear
of them is 4'.3". On the right of the passage
behind the door checks there has evidently been
the entrance to a guard chamber the inner
edge of which is visible but neither passage
nor chamber are cleared of debris. At 8'
inwards from the first door checks are another
pair of slabs opposite to each other set
edgeways into the walls. Within this the
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[Continued from page 30]
left wall is concealed by a secondary wall
curving round to the right into the interior of
the broch which has not been cleared out. The
passage is roofless throughout. The left wall
wall exists to a height of about 4' and the right
to about 3'. The inner face of the main wall of the broch is
exposed at several points showing that the
interior diameter was about 30'. The exterior
is not laid bare. In addition to the secondary
wall at the end of the passage another is
visible some 9' to the left of it in the interior.
The diameter of the
mound across the top of the broch is about 110'.
Thurso Thingsva' Broch (8)
Some 60 yds [yards] ? E. [East] of the last is a low grassy
mound with a diameter over all of about
70' and an elevation of about 6' which has
to some extent been quarried into from the N. [North]
side. It has the appearance of a broch.
[Margin] Hopefield Cairn (12)
Of the cairn at Hopefield indicated on the
O.S. [Ordnance Survey] there is now hardly a trace. A road has
passed through it.
(Thurso) Lythemore Broch (3)
About 1/2 m. [mile] NNW. [North North West] of Lythemore at the
upper end of a field which lies between the
Forss Water and the road from Milton to
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[Continued from page 31]
Forss are the ruins of a broch. The outer face
of the walls is at several places exposed showing
a diameter over all of some 58'. The greatest
elevation is 4' to 5'. A considerable amount of
stone is exposed on the surface but the broch
does not appear to have been excavated.
The situation is on an outcrop of rock with
a burn flowing by the foot of it on the S. [South].
Reay. Stemster Broch, (34)
Some 200 yds. [yards] SSE. [South South East] of the farmhouse of
Stemster is a grassy knoll at the W. [West] end of
which are the remains of a broch. The situation
is a slight hollow at the top of a long slope
up from the left bank of the Forss water
and the broch is in consequence not seen from
the valley below. The sides of the mound
are steeply scarped to a height of about 8' but
at the base on the NNW [North North West] a built face is ex:
:posed showing that the mound has probably
been reveted. The elevation of the
part of the mound containing the ruins
is about 5' and its diameter 70'. No part
of the structure is visible. Over the top
are a number of circular hollows from
2' to 3' in depth and varying from 10' to 15'
in diameter which appear to be the remains
of secondary constructions. The edge of
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[Continued from page 32]
the mound has been surmounted by a parapet
The space between the front of
the broch & the edge of the mound is about 30'.
[Margin] Stemster (Broch)
At the edge of a field about 1/2 m. [mile] N. [North] of Stemster
Farm is a conical grassy mound which
appears to contain the ruins of a broch.
One half of it has been under cultivation and
at no point is any part of the structure ex:
:posed. The mound has an elevation of about
11' and a diameter over all of 108'.
(Thurso) Oust. unnoted
In the stackyard of the steading at Oust are
two small subterraneous excavations which have
probably been the well and cellar of a broch.
The westmost of the two is a chamber, roughly
rectangular about 5' square, the lower part of
which is cut out of the solid rock and finished
above with a converging roof covered with
slabs. The greatest height is 5'.4" above the
present floor level. It is reached by a steep
flight of 14 steps cut out of the rock measuring
6" in breadth of tread. The stair way is 2' wide.
The vertical height from the present floor level
to the level of the top step is 8'.6" and
to the ground 11'.3".
Some 5' distant is the other entered from
the opposite direction. It is a mere shaft
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[Continued from page 33]
measuring about 2' square down one side of
which are seven steps formed of three flags built into the wall
so that there is a clear space between each and
the stair is almost perpendicular. The shaft at
the bottom curves slightly to the right & measures
4' x 2'. The lower portion is entirely cut out of the
rock. The depth from the level of the original
building to the lowest exposed floor level is 9'.2".
18th Aug. 1910. Olrig Thurdistoft. (13)
In the middle of a cultivated field out 1/4 m. [mile]
S [South] by W. [West] of the farm of Thurdistoft to the E [East] of
Castletown are the remains of a broch. The
outer face of the wall is exposed almost all round to
a height of from 2' to 3' but the exact position
of the entrance is obscured by vegetation. The
diameter over all is 66', and the greatest
elevation about 6'. There is no indication
that the interior has been excavated.
Bicycling on to Dunnet I met John Nicolson
& his nephew, a schoolmaster in Perth.
[Margin] Dunnet church
[Opposite page - 2 photographs inserted]
Dunnet church is a building which may
date from the 17th century. Its most characteristic
feature is a high gabled tower with its roof
in the same line as the roof of the church,
placed against the centre of the W. [West] wall. The
tower measures 19' x 6'-3'. The church
presents no other feature of interest.
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[Continued from page 34]
Wick Par. [Parish]
In the cultivated ground to the S. [South] of the moss
of Quintfa' and about 1/4 m. [mile] N. [North] of Quintfa farm
house is a mound overgrown with grass, measuring
some 42' in diameter and about 6' in elevation. A
trench was dug through it by the late Sir Francis
Tress Barry almost to the ground level but
no relics or interment were found.
[Margin] Hunspow St. John's loch Cairn (13)
At Hunspow by the N. [North] end of St. John's loch are
the remains of a small cairn measuring
some 21' in diameter and 2' - 3' in elevation.
It appears to have been excavated and
from the centre rises a single upright slab
2'.2" in height above ground by 3'.4" in breadth which may
have formed a part of a cist.
[Margin] Brough Castle, Site (2)
On the landward end of a long rocky
promontory about 1/4 m. [mile] N. [North] of the E [East] end of the
hamlet of Brough are the foundations of
a castle. A trench some 40'
wide and 10' to 12' deep has been dug across
the neck and on either side of the rock
in rear of it has been a range of buildings
separated by a narrow courtyard or
passage. The keep is not recognisable.
The promontory tails away seawards to a shelf of
rock. There appears to be no history of this
castle.
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[Continued from page 35]
[Opposite page - sketch inserted]
[Margin] Site chapel Ham. (23)
At the corner of a field to the E [East] of Kerry Goe,
Ham, are evidently the foundations of some structure
which may be those of the chapel.
[Margin] Earth house Ham. (6)
On the E [East] side of a small goe about 1/2 m. [mile] NW. [North West]
of Ham harbour is an earth-house. A grassy
mound some 62' in diameter and 6' in elevation
is situated at the edge of the cliffs. At several
places small excavations have been made in
it disclosing its artificial character. Entering
from S. [South] by W. [West] is the passage to a chamber in
the centre both of which have been opened out.
The outer portion of the passage as originally
exposed on excavation extending for a distance
of some 14' passing direct inwards for some
9' or 10' thereafter turning sharply to the left.
Where now exposed it is built up each side
and roofed with flags. In height it measures
3' and in width 2' and appears to pass along
the original ground level. Curving slightly
to the right it extends inwards for a dis:
:tance of 13' increasing in height to 3'.10". In its course there are neither door
checks nor bar holes. The chamber into
the end of which the passage opens is
oblong on plan and rounded at the back.
It measures 14'.9" in length, 4'.10" in width
at the entrance of the passage and 5'.11" at
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[Continued from page 36]
its greatest width in the centre. The walls
which are built slightly converge upwards and
are roofed with flags. The greatest height in the
centre from what appears to be the original floor
level is 6'.6". In the end of the W. [West] wall where the
curve of the back commences about 3' above the
present floor level is a small recess or ambry.
measuring 1' in height 1'.3" in breadth and
1'.6" in depth. The floor which is said to be paved is covered with a
deposit nearly a foot in depth of soil and
food refuse which has not been examined. There
is a hole some 3' square in the centre of the
roof where the slabs have apparently fallen in.
The top of the roof is some 1'.6" to 2' below the
present ground level. At the extreme
outer end of the entrance passage is an
oval depression measuring 27' x 14' which
was not excavated.
Mound.
At the edge of the bank above the shelving
rocks about 1/2 m. [mile] NW. [North West] of Rattar House is a
low mound which has been partially
carried away. It has a diameter of 30'
and an elevation of 1 1/2' to 2'. Its character
is not apparent.
In a field about 1/4 m. [mile] NNW [North North West] of Rattar
House are the fragmentary remains of a
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[Continued from page 37]
[Opposite page - text inserted] There are no remains worth noting of the "broch" marked
on the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] near the mouth of the Rattar Burn.
large circular construction the stones from
which have been removed. It has probably been
a broch.
About 1/4 m. [mile] N. [North] of Rattar House and a short
distance to the N. [North] of the last is a grassy mound
oval on plan. It lies NE [North East] and SW. [South West] and measures
45' x 30' and 5' in elevation. It was partially
opened by Mr. John Nicolson and running along
it from the SW [South West] end was found a passage 4' deep by 2' wide.
faced with slabs set on end and covered by
flat stones for lintels. There was found in this
passage a stone pounder, 2 split bones
and a quantity of shells of edible molluscs.
Some 30' to the SW. [South West] of the mound there
project from the turf the heads of three large
slabs. all facing N [North] & S. [South] two in line & one a
short distance to the rear opposite the space
between the two advance slabs.
Kirk o' Tang S. [Site] (25)
The outline on the turf marking the foundations
of this church are clearly visible close beside
the sea to the E [East] of the burn of Rattar.
It appears to have been a chancelled
building measuring interiorly about 32' x 12'
What appears to be the wall of the chancel
occurs at 17' from the W. [West] end. Close
beside the Kirk to seawards were found
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[Continued from page 38]
certain silver armlets some in the Museum in
Edinburgh and the rest said to be in the Thurso
Museum. The circumstances of their discovery
are recorded in the Proceedings of the Soc. [Society] of Ant. [Antiquaries] Scot. [Scotland]
Along the shingle near the Rattar burn the
Oyster plant, mertensia maritima grows freely.
At the N. [North] end of St. John's Loch I found a
pretty little creeping plant which was new to
me evidently the bog pimpernel. It flowered in great profusion.
19th Augt. [August]
A very wet morning. Wrote up notes all day.
20th Augt. [August] 1910
Another showery day.
Thurso. Rossy Hillock. (13)
About 1/4 m. [mile] NW. [North West] of West Murkle Farm House at
the corner of a field is a mound which
bears the name of
Rossy Hillock. It probably covers the ruins
of a broch but it has been long under cultivation
and its dimensions are now quite indefinite.
Just opposite the termination of the farm
road which leads past West Murkle farm
is a small promontory across the landward
end of which is a wall or rampart some 8'
to 10' in thickness, 8' in height from the landward
side and 6' to seaward. The end & sides of
the promontory are much eroded and there
is no trace of the structure, if any, which
formerly existed in rear of the defences.
Methow Hillock (14)
About 1/2 m. [mile] NE. [North East] of West Murkle farm
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[Continued from page 39]
[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
and about 100 yds. [yards] back from the edge of the
cliffs is a large grassy mound known as the
Methow Hillock. It has an elevation of 10' or 11'
and a diameter of 120' but it has been under
cultivation and ploughed down to some extent.
The mound in rear of the farm cottages
at West Murkle which is clearly of artificial
character is said to have been formed from
the soil & excavated when the farm buildings
were built. Except for the absence of
stone apparent on the surface it might
easily pass for a broch.
22nd Augt. [August] 1910.
Halkirk Standing Stones (28)
Hired out to Assery at the N. [North] end of Loch Calder.
On the moor about 1 m. [mile] NE. [North East] of Brubster Village
are the remains of a setting of standing stones
which appear to have been a monument similar
to that at Achkinloch beside the loch of
Stemster. There are in all only 7 stones visible
but it is probable that others exist sunk beneath
the peat. The main axis of the monument
which appears to have been oval on plan, lies
NE [North East] and SW [South West]. At the NE [North East] end stands a slab
pointed upwards 5'.5" in height and 3'.7" in
breadth at base facing E [East] by N. [North] and W. [West] by S [South].
Some 43' to the W. [West] of it a thin portion of another slab is visible
on the surface 1'.6" in breadth facing NE [North East] & SW [South West]. At
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[Continued from page 40]
22' to the SW another, parallel, protrudes to a height of 7" with
a breadth of 1'.11" - and At 37' is another visible to the same
height and with a breadth of 2'.2". While 12'.10"
beyond it again is a fourth slab 1'.3" high above
ground 3'.10" in breadth and 1'.3" in thickness.
On the opposite side of the oval at 87' distant from
this last stone & to the SE. [South East] is a single slab set facing
in the same direction. 3'.8" in breadth, 1'.9" in height
above ground and 10" in thickness. At the SW. [South West]
end of the monument [--] ft. [feet] distant from the
first stone stands another tall pillar - 6'.11" in height,
2'.3" in breadth and 1'.9" in thickness. The ground
in the centre has been dug to some extent for peats.
At one or two points small heaps of stones or hollows
seem to indicate the positions of slabs which have
been removed while the existence of others in situ
may be observed by probing. The total
length of the monument has been some [--] ft. [feet]
and its width 87'.
(Halkirk) Corr a' Chaise. Bridge of Brubster (28)
At the edge of an enclosed cultivated area
in the moorland about 1 m. [mile] NE. [North East] of the bridge
of Brubster is a low mound recently supple:
:mented with much stone gathered from the
adjoining field. It has a diameter of 31' and
elevation of about 2'. Probably it is a cairn
but its character is not evident.
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[Continued from page 41]
Reay. Standing Stones Broubster Village (39 & 40)
On the moor to the Eastwards of the ruined croft
of Aultan and about 3/4 m. [mile] ENE [East North East] of Broubster Village
are two standing stones about ? 120 yds. [yards] (see O.S. [Ordnance Survey]) distant
from each other. The Southmost stone measures
3'.10" in height, 2' in breadth and 8" in thickness.
It faces ENE [East North East] and WSW. [West South West] and is pointed towards
the upper end. The second stone stands to
the Northwards (due N. magc. [North magnetic]) and faces N. [North] and S [South].
It measures 4'.6" in height, 2'.1" in breadth 1'.1" in
thickness at base decreasing to 7" upwards. There
are no stones visible as parts of a setting anywhere
between these two monoliths.
Standing stones. Aultan Broubster. (38)
About 100 yds [yards] SW. [South West] of the ruined croft of Aultan and
1/2 ENE [East North East] of Broubster Village is a standing stone measuring
4' in height above ground, 2'.4" in breadth and
10" in thickness. It faces E [East] and W. [West] and is
pointed towards the upper end. In its
immediate vicinity are several other slabs
apparently set on end protruding to a less
degree above ground. They are, however, irregu:
:larly placed and it is doubtful if
they have formed part of a prehistoric setting of
stones. The adjacent ground has been under
cultivation.
Halkirk Horned long cairn (9)
On the W. [West] side of Loch Calder about 1/2 m [mile]
W. [West] of the Big Island and 1/4 m. [mile] back from
[Continued on page 43] |
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[Continued from page 42]
the loch is a horned long cairn known as "Buaile
Asserie". It lies WSW. [West South West] and ENE. [East North East] having its broader
and higher extremity towards the latter direction.
Except at the ENE [East North East] extremity it has been greatly
pillaged for stones. The extreme length inclusive
of the horns has been about 230'. At the ENE. [East North East]
the horns are not very evident beneath the turf
but they appear to have measured about 26' in
length, and 60' between their outer terminations
(The distance from the centre of the end of
the cairn to their outer extremities is 37'.) The
horns at the opposite end are more distinct.
They appear to be also 26' in length but are
only 46' distant at their outer extremities. (The
distance from the centre of the cairn is also 37')
At the WSW. [West South West] end the cairn measures 44' in
breadth and some 4' in elevation. Two large
slabs, set on end protrude from the turf 18' from
the end indicating the former existence of a
chamber at this end. Though ruined there is
no sign of its having been cleared out.
The breadth of the cairn near the centre is
some 42'. At about 80' from the ENE [East North East] end
it commences to expand and increases
to a breadth of 64' and height of 12'. The
cairn is overgrown with grass & heather
[Continued on page 45] |
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Canmore has the site name as Tulach Buaile Assery. |
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[Continued from page 43]
and the principal end shows no sign of excavation.
Chambered Cairn. Loch Calder (10)
About 200 yds [yards] S [South] by E [East] of the horned long cairn
on the W. [West] side of Loch Calder are the remains of a
round chambered cairn. The cairn has had
a diameter of about 53' and has an elevation
of about 7'. The chamber is in a ruined state.
Some 14' in from the E. [East] edge lies a large slab
in situ as a lintel. It measures 6'.4" in length
2'.10" in breadth and 10" in thickness. At 4' in
rear of it a single division stone is standing and
8' to 9' back from it some of the building at the
back of the chamber is exposed. The interior
is overgrown with turf and the width of the
chamber is not apparent.
(Reay) Chambered Cairn, Loch Calder (55)
On the W. [West] side of Loch Calder about 3/4 m. [mile] from
the south end of the Loch and about 1/4 m. [mile] NNW. [North North West]
of Carriside is a chambered cairn. The
diameter over all is 70'. The entrance has
been from the ESE [East South East]. Some 18' from the
outer edge in that direction two thin slabs
protrude their heads from the turf with which
the cairn is overgrown, 2'.9" apart and in
front of them lies a stone which has evid:
:ently formed a lintel In rear of these stones
several other parallel slabs protrude indicating the
divisions of the chamber and the back. The
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[Continued from page 44]
slab occupying the latter position is 5' broad.
None of the slabs protrude for a greater height
than 1'.7". No part of the walls of the chamber
are visible. The greatest elevation is 6'. A
large amount of stone has evidently at some
time been removed from the cairn on the SE [South East].
Halkirk. Hut Circle Loch Calder (Unnoted)
About half way down the W. [West] side of Loch
Calder, W. [West] of the Big Island and some 200
yds. [yards] from the shore is a hut circle. It is
formed of two circular enclosures in alignment
the one opening out of the other in line of the
main entrance which is from the SE [South East].
The back circle measures interiorly 25' x 27'.
The floor which has been dug out to some
extent is some 4' below the top of the enclosing
bank and 2'.6" or thereby above the floor level
of the front enclosure. The thickness of the
bank is indefinite but appears to have been
about 8'. The front circle measures interiorly
23' x 25'. Details of the entrance and connecting
passage are not evident. The whole construction
is overgrown with heather.
Hut Circle Loch Calder (unnoted)
Somewhat less than 1/4 m. [mile] N. [North] of the last is
another hut circle also overgrown with
heather. It measures interiorly 20' x 25'
and is entered from the SE [South East].
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[Continued from page 45]
The thickness of the bank appears to be from
8' - 9'. No details of the entrance are obtainable.
23 Augt. [August] 1910
A very beautiful day. Hired a trap & took S. [Sandy]
with me.
Broch Murkle (6)
About 1/2 m. [mile] SSE [South South East] of West Murkle Farm buildings
is a grassy hillock on the top of which are
the remains of a broch. The upper part
of the hillock which contains the broch rises
some 28' - 30' back from the edge of the scarp
which is about 8' high. It has a diameter
of about 60' and an elevation of about 8'.
No part of the structure is visible. The hillock
has to some extent been ploughed down and
broken into on the E [East] side.
My assistant took me to see two mounds
at Whitefield, Murkle which he believed to be
cairns. On the top of one a burial was said
to have been found. One mound much
resembled a long cairn and thin slabs
lying horizontally exposed on the sides much
suggested building I was satisfied, however,
that the mounds were natural.
East Murkle. Mound (7)
Some 200 yds [yards] NW. [North West] of East Murkle Farm
in the middle of a field is a low stony
mound overgrown with grass. It has
long been under cultivation and the
[Continued on page 47] |
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[Continued from page 46]
dimensions and character are quite indefinite.
Of the cairn near the shore about 1/4 m. [mile] N. [North] by E. [East]
of East Murkle I could find no trace. If
it was in a field it no longer exists, if above
the cliff it is covered with rank grass and
stones gathered from the fields.
Broch Castlehill (17)
At the edge of a field just above the shore road
a short distance to the W. [West] of Castlehill quarries,
Castletown is a grassy mound which
appears to contain the ruins of a broch.
It has been pillaged to some extent from the
S. [South] side. The remaining portion has a diameter
of about 54' and an elevation of 7'.
Links of Greenland. (21)
On the W. [West] side of the road from Castletown
to Dunnet and about 1 1/4 m. [miles] S. [South] of Dunnet Church
are two small cairns close to one another
They measure some 32' in diameter and
from 5' to 6' in elevation. Neither appears
to have been excavated.
Mounds Links of Greenland. (19)
On the S. [South] side of a small burn which crosses
the links about 1 m. [mile] S. [South] of Dunnet Church
& about 1/6 m. [mile] E [East] of the road is a conical sandy mound. In diameter it
measures 33' and in elevation about 5'.
From the top two thin slabs protrude 5'.8"
apart inclining towards each other at an
angle of about 15° to 20° and some 6' & 9' res:
[Continued on page 48] |
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[Continued from page 47]
towards the W. [West] another pair in similar align:
:ment are just visible about 5' from each other.
The slabs are thin and the construction does
not appear to be a chambered cairn.
Hut circle. (19)
Some 40 yds [yards] to the N. [North] of the last is a larger
mound overgrown with bents with a hollow
depression in the centre. Over all the mound
measures in diameter 55' from N. [North] to S. [South] by 66' from E. [East] to W. [West]
and in elevation about 4'. The depression
which is probably the interior
of a hut circle measures some 30' in diameter.
From it two or three thin slabs protrude
through the surface. There are a number
of shells of limpets &c. turned up by the rabbits
around the site
Hut Circle (20)
Some 200 yds. [yards] ESE. [East South East] of the last is another
hut circle with an interior diameter of
31'. The entrance is from the SE. [South East] and is
visible, faced on either side with flags, for
a length of 6'.4". It has a breadth of 2'.6".
In the interior several thin slabs protrude
set edgewise against the bank.
The present thickness of the bank is from
13' to 14'.
Links of Dunnet
At the S. [South] end of a ridge of sand about
3/4 m. [mile] SSE. [South South East] of Dunnet church is a large
[Continued on page 49] |
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[Page] 49
[Continued from page 48]
circular depression around the edge of which
stones are evident. It has an interior diameter
of about 36'.
Some 50 yds. [yards] to the E. [East] are three small conical
stony mounds each with a diameter of from
16' to 18' and an elevation of some 3'. One of
them appears to have been dug into but no
cist is exposed.
Mound (15)
Some 2/3 m. [mile] S. [South] of Dunnet Church on the E [East] side
of the road is a high sandy mound with
an elevation of 16' or 17' around the top of
which much stone is visible but no structure
exposed. The diameter of the area over which
the ruin is apparent is about 46'. The
character of the remains is quite indefinite.
This has been a lovely day. Nowhere I
have visited do the primula scottica and
Grass of Parnassus grow so abundantly
as on these Links. Some of the flower stalks
of the former were 4" or 5" high.
Augt. [August] 24th. 1910.
Having heard from Mr. Gunn, Wick,
of the supposed existence of stone rows near
Dirlot I hired the local car and had the
satisfaction of finding them. They are
unnoted
Stone Rows Dirlot (unnoted)
Some 300 yds. [yards] WSW. [West South West] of the graveyard
[Continued on page 50] |
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[Continued from page 49]
at Dirlot on a rounded heatherclad knoll
is a setting of stone rows. The setting appears
to consist of some [--] rows presenting the usual
characteristics the stones being set with their
flat faces looking across the rows. Most of
the stones merely protrude from 6" to 8" and are
about 1' in breadth except at the outer termination
where they appear to have been larger the largest stone being 2' high and 2'.4" broad. They
are somewhat irregularly placed some 3' to 5'
distant from each other in the rows and the rows
6' to 7' apart. On the crest of the hillock
are two low mounds or cairns from which
the rows appear to radiate. The most Norther:
:ly of the cairns has a diameter of about 14'
and a slight elevation, while the other situated
near the centre of the base of the rows, measures
about 19' in diameter and 1 1/2' in elevation.
Some 20' to the SE [South East] of this cairn in the line
of the rows is another slight elevation measuring
some 5' in diameter. The knoll has
an elevation of some 12' and the rows
run from the crest to the base in an
approximate ESE [East South East] and WNW. [West North West] direction. At
base the setting measures some 85' across
and at its outer termination about 160'. The
length of the rows has been about 106'.
[Continued on page 51] |
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[Continued from page 50]
Several stones have recently been upturned
and the beds from which others have been
removed are quite apparent. As it seemed
within my capability to plan the monument I
triangulated the position of each stone. My
plotting has come out fairly well but another
visit will be necessary to complete the plan.
25 Aug. [August] 1910.
(Reay) Broch Tulloch of Lybster. (10)
On the W. [West] side of the farm road leading
from Lybster to Crosskirk and about half
way between the two places are the ruins of a
broch. The tower has been surrounded by a
rampart some 23' out from its base faced with stone on its inner face,
and a ditch beyond it. The land around
is under cultivation but these defences are
still visible on the S. [South] and SW [South West]. The broch
itself has been cleared out and a wide
gap made through the wall on the
SE [South East] and NW [North West]. The interior diameter has
been about 32'.6" and the thickness of
the wall 14'.6". Small portions of the
inner face of the wall are exposed at various points and
also of the exterior face,
but the structure is much ruined.
Against the outer wall towards the E. [East]
are slight remains of secondary buildings.
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[Continued from page 51]
St. Mary's Church Lybster. (1).
Situated on the W. [West] side of Crosskirk
Bay a short distance back from the
edge of the rocks is the ruined church of St.
Mary's. It consists of a nave and chancel
both roofless and the latter a reconstruction
on the old foundations used as a burial place.
The nave measures 17'.10" from E [East] to W. [West] by 10'.11"
from N. [North] to S. [South] interiorly. The walls which are
built of the whinstone of the district in irregular
courses from 3" to 10" deep are about 4' in
thickness. The N. [North] wall which is still about
its original height is 8' in elevation above
the ground level. The S. [South] wall is partly broken -
but has still a height of from 6' to 7'. The
W. [West] wall stands to a height of 11'.8" and the
E [East] to about 15'. In the W. [West] end is an entrance
now closed up 2'.3" wide at bottom, 1'.9" wide
at the top and 3'.11" high. There is no trace
of a window. The entrance to the chancel
is 2'.9" wide at the bottom 2'.1" at the top
and about the same height as the doorway.
The chancel measures 11'.3" from E [East] to W. [West]
by 10'.9" from N [North] to S [South]. The W. [West] wall of the
nave on the exterior is in rather a ruinous
state and the upper part considerably
broken down.
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[Continued from page 52]
Broch Cross-Kirk (9)
At the edge of the rocks about 30 yds. [yards]
to the N. [North] of the ruined church of St. Mary's
Lybster are the remains of a large broch.
The structure has been broken into to a
small extent on the S. [South] from which
direction the entrance appears to have been.
The interior diameter is not accurately as:
:certainable without excavation but
has been approximately 30' - 32'. The thickness
of the wall is 14' to 15'. The circular mound
above the wall is some 6' above the ground
level on the exterior and 5' on the interior.
On the left of the position of the entrance
the sides of a chamber are visible in the wall.
On the exterior at the edge of the cliff for a
distance of some 20' a portion of wall about
4' - 5' is exposed. On the landward side
about 10' from the broch are
the remains of an outer bank or wall now
some 8' wide at base.
Horned round Cairn Lower Dounreay (18)
About 1 m. [mile] N.E. [North East] of Lower Dounreay and 1/4
m. [mile] back from the shore is a green hillock.
which appears to be a horned, round cairn.
It measures some (?) 6' in elevation; Across
the centre between the horns the diameter
is 58' and along the horns 70'. A large
stone near the centre of the concavity on
[Continued on page 54] |
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[Continued from page 53]
[Opposite page - sketch inserted]
the SE. [South East] probably marks the position of the
entrance. On the E [East] side of the NE [North East] horn
a portion of the facing wall of thin slabs is
visible. The outlines of the horns are not
sufficiently definite for measurement. The
cairn does not seem to have been excavated.
Dounreay. Castle. (3)
At the W [West] end of the farm buildings at Lower
Dounreay are the remains of Dounreay Castle.
It is a structure on an L plan, now un:
:roofed and rapidly falling into ruins
though occupied at a comparatively recent
date. It consisted of 2 storeys & a basement. The entrance door occupies the usual
position on the re-entering angle on the
ground floor. On the left of the doorway a
square staircase under a vaulted roof
leads to a landing on the first floor
whence a newel stair in the thickness
of the wall leads upwards. The floors
have all fallen. On the first floor has
been a hall and private room. There have
been small cupboards and garde robes
in the walls and the window recesses have
been fitted with seats. The mouldings
around the fire-places consist of a
bead and hollow. The walls are 3'.6"
in thickness and some 32' in height.
[Continued on page 55] |
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[Continued from page 54]
Broch Lower Dounreay.
About 1/2 m. [mile] S. [South] of Dounreay Farm House
is a grassy mound on the top of which are
the ruins of a broch. It is situated partially
in two fields the dyke passing across the
centre. The diameter over all is some 87'
and of the area containing the broch about
54'. The greatest elevation is about 10'. Ruins
are visible on the E [East] side but no wall face
appears. There are traces of a surrounding
ditch.
Broch. Upper Dounreay. (15)
In a field about 100 yds. [yards] NE. [North East] of Loch Ach:
:bulligan and about ? 2/3 WSW. [West South West] of Upper
Dounreay is a grassy mound containing
the ruins of a broch. The broch has been
situated towards the SW. [South West] end of the elevation.
The area covered by it measures approximately 60'
and the depression marking the interior
about 27' but no wall faces are exposed.
The elevation at the SW [South West] where the slope is
steep is 13'. From the opposite direction the
rise is gradual. On the N. [North] the ruin
has been pillaged to some extent.
26th Augt. [August] 1910.
A hopelessly wet day. Wrote up notes.
27th Augt. [August] 1910.
Still wet - finished notes & plotting plans.
29th Augt. [August] 1910
Pouring rain in the morning. As it faired
about midday hired a trap to Sandside
[Continued on page 56] |
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[Opposite page - 2 photographs inserted]
Sculptured Stones Sandside.
At Sandside there is a stone carved with
symbols which was found built into a
stone dyke near Shurrery. It is a quadran:
:gular block of sandstone 2'.5" in length, 9" in
breadth and 8" in thickness. On the
face of the stone are incised a small stemmed
circle or orb 4" in diameter containing an
equal armed cross . The stem is 3 1/2" in length
1" in breadth where it joins the circle and
1 1/2" at base. Beneath this symbol occupy:
:ing the breadth of the stone is plain circle
with a diameter of 8".
The sculptured stone illustrated and
described in the Sculptured stones of
Scotland is placed against a wall at the
E [East] side of Sandside House and is set within
a wooden frame. It measures 4'.10" in
height, x 1'.11" in breadth &c.
There is also preserved at Sandside a
[Margin] Natural
fragment of stone of curious
design. It is an irregular slab measuring
superficially 1 1/2' x 1' and 4" or 5" in thickness.
In the centre is an equilateral triangular figure 5" in
length two sides of which are slightly concave
& the base convex. The I mouldings which
occupy the rest of the surface curve
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[Continued from page 56]
[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
around this central figure but are neither
parallel nor continuous. Mr. Pilkington is to
find out for me where the stone came from.
Cairn Sandside (13)
On the left bank of the [--] Burn about
100 yds. [yards] above its mouth is a high sandy
mound on the summit of which there appears
to be a cairn. The whole is overgrown with
bents but the diameter of the cairn appears
to be about 55' and its elevation 11' or 12'.
It does not appear to have been excavated.
Market Cross Reay. (72)
On the S. [South] of the road in the hamlet of Reay
there stands a rude cross the upper arm of
which is awanting. In height it measures
4'.3" above ground, & in width across the arms
1'.11". The shaft which is cylindrical measures
2'.9 1/2" in circumference. The arms are 9" in
breadth at the intersection and diminish to
6" at their extremities.
30th Augt. [August] 1910.
A most unpromising morning so
hired a car and went to Nybster to examine
the pottery from the Keiss brochs stored in
John Nicolson's barn. S. [Sandy] came with me. For
hours we stood bending over an improvised table
passing shards of the coarsest pottery through
our hands. As the pots lay in boxes crawling
with maggots of some sort the task was
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not a pleasant one. Nor was it particularly pro:
:fitable as I only recovered one fragment ornamented
in any manner whatever. It is a piece of dark
brown ware about 2" square with the remains
of five regular horizontal mouldings on the outside.
There were pieces of two large cooking pots both
from Barrock Hill of Works broch which
possibly may be reconstructed & these we
packed to send to the museum. For
the most part the fragments were those of
vessels of large dimensions and of the coarsest
manufacture - all fashioned without the aid
of the wheel. A few portions of rims of smaller
vessels I also removed. John Nicolson asserts
that the Samian ware found in the Keiss
broch came from the higher levels among
the remains of secondary buildings.
Wick Par. [Parish] Nybster.
Some 300 yds. [yards] S. [South] of the school at Nybster close
beside the road on the W. [West] side is a low mound
which was excavated by the late Sir Francis
Barrie. It was found to contain a
circular building with a diameter of
about 6' having a semicircular recess with a radius of about 3'
opening out of it at the back. There
was an entrance from the NE. [North East] about 2'
wide between two large stones laid on edge
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The whole structure is said to have showed evidence of having
been affected by fire. The wall was about 2'.6"
in thickness and remaining to a height of about
3'. In the interior there was found a thin flat
sandstone slab measuring about 17" in length, 7 1/2"
in breadth and 2" in thickness perforated at one
end with a hole drilled from both sides. There
was also discovered a human jaw partially con:
:sumed by fire and two other human bones.
The structure was filled up after examination.
From the signs of fire and the presence of
human bones John Nicolson has called this
place a cremation kiln. The evidence is
hardly conclusive.
31st Augt. [August] 1910.
Another dull morning. Roads quite un:
:fit for bicycling so hired a trap to visit the
Olrig district
(Olrig) Broch Sibmister (3)
Immediately to the N. of Sibmister Farm is
a high grassy hillock on the top of which
there are evidently the remains of a broch.
The scarp of the hillock which is steep
rises to a height of about 18' on the W. [West] and
somewhat less on the other sides. Towards
the top of it the face of a wall is exposed.
Some 20' to 30' back from the top of the
scarp the broch has been situated. The
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[Opposite page - sketches and text inserted] Stone & bronze axes found in Cairn of Howe
near Thurso and in the possession of Mr.
John Anderson, 17 Millbank Road, Thurso.
They were found by James Swanson about
25 years ago.
April 1912.
A bronze axe of similar type with a nick cut
by a sharp instrument on one edge - adjacent to the hilt
as in the above example is in the possession of Mr. Robert
Dickinson, Longcroft, Lauder & was seen by me on
16th inst. [instance]
outline of the ruin is very indefinite but the
diameter appears to be about 56'. & the elevation
is about 6'. The top of the hillock over all
measures some 110' in diameter.
Mound Clinag (9)
On the top of the Hill of Clinag towards its E. [East]
end is a small grass covered mound across
the top of which runs a stone wall. It has a
diameter of some 40' and an elevation of 4'.
Possibly it is a cairn but there is no surface
indication of its character
Church of St. Trothan's (1)
About 1/2 m. [mile] N. [North] of Olrig House are the ruins of
the parish church of Olrig known as St. Trothans.
The structure is roofless and the gables and walls
entirely overgrown with ivy are levelled to a height
of about 10' all around. The church has measured
49' x 26' over all. It presents no features
of interest and appears to be a building of
the late 17th or early 18th century. The exact
date is possibly obtainable from the "Origines".
I could not get access to the interior but
through the keyhole of the door I could observe the usual
remains of disinterred coffins which are
to be found in nearly every church yard
in Caithness. As usual human bones
lay scattered about in abundance.
Standing on the left side of the gate
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[Continued from page 60]
[Opposite page - sketch inserted]
giving access to the churchard is an old
font. It is a cylindrical block of sandstone
1'.8" in height and 1'.5 1/2" in diameter. The basin
is in shape an inverted cone 10" in depth and
5" in diameter at the top. A plain roll moulding
encircles it at the base and rising from this
to within 6" of the top of the font are five equidistant
similar vertical mouldings
Mound. Olrig Glebe. (10)
About 180 yds. [yards] SW. [South West] of the Manse of Olrig in the
cultivated land of the glebe is a stony mound
which probably contains a broch. The mound
is under cultivation and no sign of structure
is visible. The diameter over all is some 96'
and the elevation about 6'.
Cairn Netherside (12)
Some 200 yds [yards] S [South] by W. [West] of Hayfield farm beside
the steading of Netherside is a grassy hillock.
It measures some 70' in diameter and 5' in
elevation. About 50 years ago a stone
cist was accidentally discovered in it
and was immediately covered up again without
any observations being made.
Cairn (14)
At the edge of a grass park on the W. [West] side
of the road some 300 yds. [yards] N. [North] of Birkle Hill
quarry is a small cairn. It measures
some 38' in diameter and some 5'.6" in
elevation. It does not appear to have
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been excavated.
Mound Olrig Ho. [House] (11)
In the park to the E [East] of Olrig House and close
beside the pond is a large grassy mound.
It has been at one time under cultivation
and been much spread and now has a
diameter of about 120' and an elevation of
about 7'. It is probably a broch but no
part of the structure is visible.
The mound (no. [number] 15) indicated on the Hill of Olrig
seems to me to be natural and the hillock
"Sysa" (no. [number] 16) near Hilliclay undoubtedly is.
After returning to Thurso I sought out Mr.
John Anderson, an engineer at the flour
mill as I heard he was a collector. The
only antiquities he owned were the stone
and bronze axes sketched opposite page
60 and a small mould for making
luckenbooth brooches. The former articles
are of extreme interest as having both
come from the same cairn. They were
found by a friend of Mr. Anderson from
whom he received them. The bronze axe
is notched on both edges near the butt a
feature I have not seen before.
1st Sept. [September] 1910
Another wet morning. When it cleared
I hired a trap and returned to Dirlot
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[Continued from page 62]
to complete my survey of the stone rows
which I had not been able to accomplish on
my former visit. I also made a cross
section along the central row and through
the cairn. On the way back I stopped
at Halkirk and visited a construction on
the right bank of the Thurso River. It
Mound Halkirk (48)
is situated about 1/4 m. [mile] to the W. [West] of Halkirk
and is a large oval construction of un:
:ascertained character, much quarried
and presenting the same puzzling arrangement
of flags observed at Shurrery and elsewhere
in this district. The dimensions are 100'
from N. [North] to S. [South] by about 76' from E. [East] to W [West].
Towards the S. [South] end some six or seven slabs set on end
protrude above the ground from 8" to 14."
parallel and almost in line. They face
WNW. [West North West] and ESE. [East South East] and are about 27' in from
the end. The pair at the W. [West] side are 2'.6"
apart. passing E. [East], the next slab is 13'.8" dis :
: tant, parallel but somewhat S. [South] of the other two. At
2'.6" distant from it is the next. parallel and
in line. Some 5'.4" E. [East] is another parallel
and somewhat S. [South] and 22' further E [East] is a
sixth also parallel. In line with the last
and 20' to the N. [North] is another. Towards the
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[Continued from page 63]
[Opposite page - 2 photographs inserted]
N. [North] end of the construction a small portion
of cairn-like appearance remains intact and
beside it are one or two more slabs all facing
in the same direction as the others.The
slabs vary from 2'.6" to 3' in breadth as exposed except
one which is 4'.3" in breadth.
2nd Sept. [September]
Another wet and stormy morning. Drove
to Barrogill Castle to lunch and to ex:
:amine it. Mr. & Mrs. Sinclair were very
charming and showed me over.
The keep forms the E. [East] end of the present
building. It is a rectangular structure measuring
basement floor 26' x 29'.2", five storeys in height with a rect:
:angular turret projecting from the centre of
the W. [West] wall containing a newel staircase.
Except towards the NW. [North West] there are bartisans at
each angle supported on [--] corbels
and like the main walls battlemented. The
turret at the SW. [South West] angle is deeper than the
others and carries the stair from the
fourth floor to the roof. The parapet
of the stair turret on the W. [West] wall
is supported on corbels representing winged cherubs'
heads. The windows have been enlarged
and the upper storey and roof of the keep
have apparently been considerably altered.
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[Continued from page 64]
[Opposite page - sketch inserted]
The basement and first floor are vaulted
and the walls are 5'.6" thick. There are horizontal gun:
:loops through the angles at the basement a few
inches above ground level and also at the
same level through the centres of the walls as
well as on the first floor. In the S. [South] wall
of the basement in the interior is a recess some
2' wide by 1'.6" deep now bricked up at the
hatchway top which may have given access to the
floor above. A considerable addition is
said to have been made to the tower in the
first half of the 17th century and it was probably
at that period that a wing measuring at
base some 26' x 28' was built partially
against the W. [West] end of the N. [North] wall. This
wing is vaulted in the basement and does
not rise to the full height of the keep as it
is now. The Castle is situated
about 1/4 m. [mile] back from the N. [North] Coast and
some [--] ms [miles] E. [East] from Thurso.
Mound Barrogill (7)
In a cultivated field about 1/4 m. [mile] WSW. [West South West] of
Barrogill Castle is a low mound lying
N [North] and S. [South] measuring some 50' x 27' in diameter
and 2' - 3' in elevation. The level in the
field adjacent indicate that it is a rem:
:nant of a larger construction which has
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[Continued from page 65]
been ploughed down. Its character is quite
indeterminate without excavation.
3rd Sept. [September]
Visit to Borrobol lodge to excavate hut
circles.
6 Sept. [September]
Returned to Thurso - made various business
calls - arranging about survey of stone
rows at Dounreay - visit to Stroma on
Thursday 15th inst. &c. Wrote up notes & completed
plan of survey of stone rows at Dirlot.
7th Sept. [September]
Tulloch of Shalmstry (15)
A beautiful day. Bicycled to Hoy.
Situated on the E. [East] side of the road from Thurso
to Georgemas and some 300 yds SE. [South East] of Shalmstry
farm is a green mound containing the ruins
of a broch. The outer face of the wall is exposed
towards the SE [South East] and the diameter over all
appears to have been some 72'. The elevation
is about 7'. The entrance passage which has
been from the E [East] has been opened out at its
outer termination and is there 2'.10" in width.
Brawl Castle.
The ruins of Brawl Castle are situated in
rear of the present mansion on the N. [North] bank of the Thurso River and about 1/2 m. [mile]
N.E. [North East] of Halkirk. The tower is a rectangular building
measuring externally some 35' x 37' and existing
to the level of the top of the second storey.
The battlements & distinctive features of the roof
have, however, all disappeared. The walls are
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[Continued from page 66]
[Opposite page - text inserted] At the SE. [South East] angle on the exterior there has been some
projection, probably a buttress.
from 8' to 10' in thickness. The entrance door
is on the first floor level through the SW. [South West] angle
and just within it the staircase rises to the
right in the thickness of the wall. The
basement measures 20'.9" x 18' and has not been
vaulted. It has had no external door and has
been lighted by two narrow vertical loop holes.
On the first floor are deep broad window recess
in the N. [North] and W. [West] walls. They are arched & furnished with stone seats, and
measure 6' in width, 6'.3" in depth and 8'.2" in
height. In the E [East] wall are a fire place & garderobe
and there is a closet in the SW [South West] angle. The floors have
all fallen. The corbels of the first floor exist
along one half of the S. [South] wall are exceedingly
broad forming a pavement 3' - 4' Across. The
walls appear to have been built with clay
and the castle appears to date from the
14th century.
Broch Hoy (11)
In the centre of the steading of Hoy Farm are
the remains of a broch. The close proximity of
the farm house has necessitated the demoli:
:tion of the tower on one side and elsewhere the
facing stones have been in large measure re:
:moved. The diameter of the mound as it
remains is some 45' and its elevation 13' - 14'.
A section of the wall exposed shows it to
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[Continued from page 67]
[Opposite page - 2 sketches and text inserted] - Flint spear head & ring of sandstone (3/4" in thickness)
belonging to Mr. Henderson, Stemster. (actual sizes.)
have been 15' in thickness. About 1' below the
surface on the top of the mound at the S. [South] edge
are protruding the remains of a human skeleton.
The body has been laid extended, E and W [West].
Bower Par. [Parish] Mound (8) Torran Reitheach
In a grass field about 3/4 m. [mile] SW. [South West] of the mill
of Knock Dee is a low mound which is probably
a cairn. It has a diameter of about 30'
and an elevation of about 1 1/2'. The mound
has been much ploughed down.
Sordal Hill (17=18) Horned long Cairn.
Near the SW. [South West] end of Sordal Hill on the
top of the slope which rises above the road from
Thurso to Georgemas is a horned long cairn.
It occupies a conspicuous position visible on
the sky line from afar off on the W. [West]. The
cairn is overgrown with grass and heather
and the horns are obscured with the
exception of one at the E [East] side of the SSE. [South South East] ex:
:tremity. The longest axis
lies NNW [North North West] and SSE. [South South East] and the cairn rises and
expands towards the latter direction.
The extreme length is some 240'. the breadth
at the NNW [North North West] 42' and the elevation about 5'.
At the SSE. [South South East] the breadth is 82' and the eleva:
:tion about 10'
The main
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part of the cairn measures some 44' in breadth
and 7' to 8' at its greatest elevation. The expanded
portion at the end is about 90' in length. The
one horn which is apparent appears to be
about 25' long. There has been a consider:
:able amount of dilapidation in rear of the
expanded end and towards the NNW [North North West] extremity
which appears to have risen slightly in elevation.
Chambered Cairn. (19)
Some 25 yds. [yards] to the S. [South] of the last are the
remains of a round chambered cairn. Its
diameter at the present time is some 34' and
its elevation about 3' but as the field in
which it is situated has long been under
cultivation its dimensions have probably
been considerably reduced. The entrance
to the chamber has been from the WSW [West South West].
At 21' inwards from the present edge a slab protrudes which has
evidently formed the back of the chamber. It
is exposed for a height of 2'.8" above ground
and measures 4'.5" in breadth and 1'.2" in
thickness. Some 3'.7" in front of it the
heads of two slabs in line & 2'.6" apart are
visible, dividing the chamber. Though the
chamber is ruined there is no evidence of its
having been excavated.
Horned long Cairn. (16)
On the W. [West] side of Sordal Hill some 400 yds. [yards]
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N. [North] of the last long cairn is another. It lies
N. [North] and S. [South] and expands and rises slightly towards
the latter direction. It has an extreme length of
135'. At the N. [North] end it measures some 34' in
breadth and 3' in elevation and at the S. [South] 53'
in breadth and 7' in elevation. Near the centre
of its length it is some 40' broad and 4'.6" high.
At the S. [South] end both horns are apparent for a
distance of some 20' from the cairn but have
been reduced by ploughing. At the N. [North] end
the horn on the E [East] side only is visible and it
extends for a distance of 18' from the cairn.
Some 43' along the cairn from the centre of
the N. [North] end a slab 3'.6" broad set on end in
the direction of the main axis of the cairn
protrudes for a few inches and possibly
marks the position of a chamber. The
cairn is entirely overgrown with grass and
though it has been considerably dilapidated
there is no indication of its having been
excavated.
Chambered Cairn. Cnoc an Ciste (21)
On the top of Sordal Hill and on the line
of the boundary between the parishes of
Bower and Thurso is a chambered cairn.
In diameter it measures 63' from N. [North] to S [South]
by 56' from E [East] to W [West] & in elevation about 8'. The chamber has
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been partially excavated about 15 years ago without any record being published and is now
in a ruined state. A large erect slab evidently forming the back of
the chamber is visible 20' inwards from the
edge. It entered by a passage from
the SSE [South South East], is said to have been circular and to
have yeilded no relics. Some 3 years previous
to the excavation there was discovered beneath
a large slab at the side of the passage a flat
bottomed urn, or beaker, measuring some 5"
in height, decorated in bands of chevron orna:
:ment separated by horizontal lines. This vessel
passed into the possession of Sir Frances Tress
Barry. (Information supplied to me by Mr. Alick
Murray, Land Steward, Stemster.) The base
of the cairn is marked by a setting of large
boulders from 2' to 4' in length placed on
edge at irregular intervals. This characteristic
though frequently coming under observation
in Sutherland has not hitherto been noted
in this county.
(Bower) Cairn Knock-dee Mill (7)
About 150 yds. [yards] SSW. [South South West] of Knockdee Mill is a
small cairn. It measures in diameter
some 33' and in elevation about 3'.6".
Three large slabs protruding through the turf
indicate its chambered character. A depression
in the centre suggests that it has been par:
:tially excavated.
Called at Stemster and was shown the
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flint javelin head and circular stone ring
sketched opposite page 68.
8th Sept. [September] 1910.
Another beautiful day. I attempted to hire a
car but found them both engaged. Bicycled
to Broubster.
(Reay) Mound.
"Torr na Craoibhe" Brabster (37)
At the back of the shepherd's house at Bridge of
Broubster is a large flat topped grassy mound
of artificial character. It measures over all
about 130' in diameter and 6' - 8' in elevation.
Around the sides the foundations of old cot:
:tages are visible but there is nothing to in:
:dicate the nature of the original construction.
(no. 36)
On the W. [West] side of the road about 1/2 m. [mile] N. [North] of
the bridge of Broubster is a pear shaped en:
:closure. All around are the tuins of
old crofts and I could not be certain of
the character of this construction. Its omission
is immaterial.
Mound "Torr an T' Sniomha" (35)
In the Leans of Achreregan, on the E. [East] side of the road
to Shurrery and about 3/4 m. [mile] N. [North] of Brubster
Bridge is a grassy cairn like mound
known as "Torr an T' Sniomha." It has
a diameter of about 50' and an elevation
of about 6'. It has been much dug into
from the S. [South]. There are no slabs visible to
indicate its character and (possibly) it has
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[Continued from page 72]
been a kiln.
Mound (35)
At East Shebster on the E. [East] side of the moss
is a grass covered mound of irregular
contour which presents the appearance of a
large cairn much pillaged for stones. It
is oval on plan measuring some 86' by 78'.
The highest portion near the centre is 4'.6" in
height. There are no indications of its character.
Mound (30)
On the N. [North] side of West Shebster Hill about 1/4 m. [mile]
W. [West] of the road from Shebster to Shurrery is a
grassy hillock which is stony and possibly
a cairn. It has a diameter of about 60'
and an elevation of 4'.6". The outline to some
extent seems to be marked by stones set
on end protruding a few inches from
the turf.
Mound (29)
About 1/4 m. [mile] to the W. [West] of the last is a
cairn-like mound with a diameter of
about 41' and elevation of about 3'. The
surface is very uneven and appears to
have been overlaid with stones gathered
from the surrounding land which has at
one time been under cultivation. The
true character of the mound is indeterminate.
? Cairn (31)
About 1/4 m. [mile] SW. [South West] of the last is a heap
of small stones raised from the centre of the
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[Continued from page 73]
foundation of a larger construction which has
possibly been a cairn. The original diameter
has been about 54'. (The larger stones have
probably been removed for building purposes.)
Grey Cairn (32)
Some 300 yds. [yards] to the E [East] are the scanty remains
of a cairn which has been almost entirely de:
:molished.
Broch Achinabust (17a)
About 100 yds. [yards] NW. [North West] of Achinabust farm house
is a grassy hillock containing the ruins
of a broch. The outline of the tower is visible
at one or two points and indicates a diameter
over all of about 53'. On the W. [West] a chamber has
been exposed by the falling in of the roof.
The greatest height of the mound above the
broch is 6'. Towards the W. [West] there appear
to have been numerous outer buildings.
[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
Standing Stone Clach Clais an Tuirc (44)
Situated on slightly elevated ground to the
E [East] of Isauld Burn just where it issues
from the pass between [--] and Creag
Leathan is a standing stone known as
"Clach Clais an Tuirc." It is a quadrangular
block measuring 6'.2" in height above ground,
3'.6" in greatest breadth and 2'.11" at base, and
2' in thickness. It faces E. [East] and W [West].
? Broch Creag Leathan.
On the haunch of Creag Leathan facing
the N. [North] and some 3/4 m. [mile] S [South] by W. [West] of Achvarisdale
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Lodge are the remains of a construction
most probably a broch. The stones have been
in great measure removed from
it and all details obliterated. The original dia:
:meter has been about 66'.
9th Sept. [September] 1910.
Another fine morning. Took the train to
Hoy & Bicycled to Stemster where Mr. Henderson
handed me to the guidance of Alick Murray
his ground officer and an enthusiastic an:
:tiquary. He has a nice collection of
flint arrow heads gathered in the locality
and a large number of whorls many of
which have a number of small
round holes made on one face.
Bower. Foundations
In the SW. [South West] corner of the park immediately
to the W. [West] of Stemster policies are the indefinite
foundations of a number of circular buildings.
Without excavation it is impossible to
say to what age they belong.
Dovecot.
To the N. [North] of Stemster House stands an old
dovecot in a somewhat delapidated con:
:dition. In plan it is a square of 17'.3"
It has a span roof and the gables are
crow stepped. In height it measures some
26' to the roof ridge. The walls inside are
lined with the usual stone nests and are
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[Continued from page 75]
about 3' in thickness.
Foundations Stemster.
Immediately in front of the Dovecot at Stemster
there have recently been discovered the foundations
of a building. The plan is rectangular meas:
:uring some 72' in length by 28' in breadth over all.
The main axis is WNW [West North West] and ESE [East South East].
There has been an entrance through the WNW. [West North West]
wall at its W. [West] end and other two entrances within
four feet of each other through the ENE [East North East] wall.
There is said to be a chamber 20' x 14' against
the WNW [West North West] wall. The suggestion that this
[Margin] Omit.
is the foundation of a chapel is not borne
out by any detail of the plan nor by the
orientation of the building. Without com:
:plete excavation of the interior it is not
possible to come to a conclusion as to its
real character. The outside of the wall
shows the remains of lime pointing or harling!
Shian Cairn. Stemster (4)
At Stemster about 1 1/4 m. [miles] to the NNW [North North West] of Stemster
House is the "Shian" or "Sithean" a chambered
cairn excavated in 1904 by Sir Frances Tress
Barry. The following details are derived
from MS. [Manuscripts] reports which along with plans
are in the possession of the
Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. The
diameter of the cairn was 40' and its eleva:
:tion 12'. In the centre was found a square chamber
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[Continued from page 76]
chamber built of rubble work with two upright
flag stones set in each corner of it. The floor
consisted of five flagstones stretching right
across from side to side. The width of the
chamber was 4'.8". Its height from the floor
to the top of the walls 8' and to the top of
the debris 13'. Flagstones were found on the top laid in a
slanting position to form a roof. On the
floor in the S.W. [South West] corner were found the
unburned remains of a human skeleton the
area on which it lay being marked off on
the floor by an arc of grey boulders. The
fragment of skull indicated that it
belonged to an "ovoid" skull with a cephalic
index low in the mesocephalic group
if not actually falling into the dolichoceph:
:alic category. The entrance to the chamber
was from the S. [South] through a doorway 4'.6"
high and 1'.10" wide which was walled up
with walling 2'.9" thick. The passage
was opened for a distance of 4' outwards.
It was found to be well built & roofed &
paved with flag stones. The floor was 8" lower
in level than the floor of the chamber.
The whole length of the passage was estimated
at 15'. Beneath the flooring of the chamber
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[Continued from page 77]
was found a layer of broken stones about
4" deep resting on a bed of clay. In the
debris near the top of the cairn were found
the remains of another unburnt interment and
pieces of a "clay jar or urn".
Cairn Site Stemster (2)
Some 50 yds [yards] W. [West] of one of the crofts at Stemster
and about 1 m. [mile] S. [South] of the farm of Hilliclay is
a mound on a natural ridge which appears
to be the remains of a cairn. One large
slab some 5' in length and 6" to 8" in thickness
protrudes from the back of a hollow caused
by the removal of the stones. Skeletal remains
are said to have been found here.
Sinclairs Sithean (3) Stemster
On the moor about 1 1/2 m. [miles] NW. [North West] of Stemster
House is a long cairn. It has been consider:
:ably pillaged for stones at both ends and
the horns if such existed are not now visible.
The cairn lies NNW [North North West] and SSE. [South South East] expanding
towards the latter direction. Its extreme length is 173'. At the NNW. [North North West] end
it measures some 33' in breadth and 3'.6" in
height, while at the SSE [South South East] end its breadth is 63'
and its height 7' to 8'. Some 30 years
ago a short cist containing an unburned
interment was discovered just below the
surface at the ESE. [East South East] end. (by Mr. Alick Murray,
ground officer, Stemster.)
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[Continued from page 78]
Cnoc an Taillir (20)
I could find no trace of this "Picts House"
near the position marked on the map nor
did my guide know of any other cairn in the
locality
Cairn Stemster (Unnoted)
About 1/3 m. [mile] SSW. [South South West] of Sinclair's Sithean on
the moor is a low cairn. It has a diameter
of 32' and an elevation of about 3'.
Ha' of Duran Broch (4)
Some 300 yds [yards] WNW. [West North West] of Ha' of Duran at the
edge of a burn is a grassy mound which
evidently marks the site of a broch. No
part of the tower is visible and the ruin
is probably covered with the foundations of
secondary buildings The elevation of the
mound is inconsiderable.
Lunched at Stemster where I met J. [Jocelyn] who
bicycled home with me by Ha' of Duran &c.
10 Sept. [September]
Another wet morning - wrote up notes &c.
12 Sept. [September]
Drove to Achreamie to assist in survey
of Stone Rows on Upper Dounreay farm.
With the assistance of a workman we un:
:covered the tops of a number of stones
sunk beneath the turf. The square setting
of stones at the N. [North] end is evidently part of
the original monument as the four
stones of which it is formed are firmly
wedged into the ground. We dug out the
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[Continued from page 79]
interior of the square and found no sign
of any interment. The stones were some 1'.8" in
height.
On my return about 7. o'clock I found that
Lord Pentland had wired requesting me to
meet him in the afternoon on his way to Wick.
I was sorry to miss him.
13th Sept [September] 1910.
Drove to Shurrery with Prof. [Professor] Bryce to
re-examine certain cairns there which perplexed
me on my previous visit.
We concluded that the construction (no. 45. p. [page] 6)
was a cairn of chambered character but of a
type hitherto unmet with and suggesting
the complex plans of the Orkney cairns.
The cairn (no. 47. p. [page] 8) about 1/4 m. [mile] SE. [South East] of the
church has evidently been of the same
type. The positions of the slabs indicate
that there has been a chamber of complex
character entered from the SE. [South East] the back
slab of which is some 49' in from the edge
of the cairn in that direction and 45' from
the edge at the opposite side. Some 7'.6" to
the NE [North East], & nearly in alignment, is another slab
7' in length, which appears likewise to have formed
the back of a chamber one wall of which is
just apparent 5'.9" in length built at right
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[Continued from page 80]
angles to it. A number of the slabs have
been removed and the whole cairn so much des:
:troyed that its plan is no longer apparent.
We spent a considerable time at this cairn trying
to discover the division stones beneath the debris
and to arrive at some conception of the original
form of the chambers.
We visited the Long Cairn near Loch a' Mhuilinn
and on our way towards Brawlbin we found
a small cairn unnoted.
Chambered Cairn (unnoted)
On the moorland to the SW. [South West] of Shinnery and
about 1/2 m. [mile] NE. [North East] of the cairn on the summit
of Beinn Freceadain is a small round cham:
:bered cairn. It has been delapidated to a
considerable extent and several large upright
slabs stand exposed about the centre. The dia:
:meter is some 35' and the elevation is now
inconsiderable.
Prof. [Professor] Bryce agreed that the construction
(no. 63) was certainly not sepulchral.)
Returning towards Shurrery we found another
unnoted cairn
Chambered Cairn Brawlbin (Unnoted)
On the moor about 1/4 m. [mile] to the E [East] of the
horned long cairn near Loch a 'Mhuilinn and
and to the W. [West] of the crofts at Brawlbin
are the remains of a small cairn. It is
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[Continued from page 81]
so delapidated and has been so pillaged for stones that
its dimensions are no longer obtainable. A single
large upright slab protruding through the turf
indicates its chambered character.
The weather has improved of late and we seem
destined to enjoy a fine September.
14th Sept. [September] 1910
Hired the car to do a big day's work
towards the East.
Left at 9.30 and made our first stop at St. John's
Loch.
Dunnet Par. [Parish]
St. John's Chapel
St. John's Loch S. [Site] (26)
The site of St. John Chapel is recognisable on a
grassy knoll of slight elevation at the E [East] end
of St. John' s Loch. The dimensions of the building
are not recoverable without excavation.
A respectable old man who owned the croft on
which the site is, told us most naïvely that
a few years ago he had removed a good
many of the stones of the chapel to build a
wall.
Greenvale Site.
On the farm of Greenvale to the SE. [South East] of the farm
house about 120 yds. [yards] E. [East] of the cross-roads & on
the S. [South] side of the road to Huna is the site of
some construction recognised by the upright
slabs coming in contact with the plough.
It has not been excavated and the character
of the ruin is unknown. A bone weaving
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[Continued from page 82]
comb is said to have been recovered from it by
John Nicolson. The farmer described the remains
to me as "a grave formed of large slabs 6' long
"by 3' across."
There are no significant remains of the Broch
indicated on the O. S. [Ordnance Survey] map at the mouth of the
Burn of Rattar.
Scarfskerry (7)
On a short promontory rock about 1/2 m. [mile] to the
W. [West] of Scarfskerry Post Office are the fragmentary
remains of a structure, probably a broch.
The building has occupied the whole of
the outer end of the promontory now some 30' in
breadth but the crumbling of the rock has
considerably curtailed its dimensions. The
whole is overgrown with grass and no part
of the structure is visible. Across the
landward end of the promontory a trench
has been dug.
Canisbay
St. John's Chapel. S. [Site] (15)
At the landward end of St. John's point
towards the E [East] side and partially traversed
by a modern wall is a foundation some
32' in length but of indefinite breadth said
to be that of the chapel. In the interior
two slabs protrude which may have formed
the ends of a long cist. The building is
not correctly oriented
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[Continued from page 83]
[Opposite page - text inserted] Cannisbay
Set into the S. [South] wall of the S. [South] transept of the
church on the outside is the famous "Grote"
stone for description of which see Pro. [Proceedings] Soc. [Society]
of Antiq. [Antiquities] Vol [Volume] XLIV [44]. paper by Mr. Eeles.
Fort. St. John's Point.
Across the landward end of the promontory of
St. John's Point from cliff to cliff has been
dug a deep trench some 50' in breadth with
a rampart some 10' in height along the sea:
:ward side and a low mound crowning the
counterscarp to landward. The rampart has
probably borne a wall along its crest on the
line of the present modern dyke as a
small portion of an ancient wall is visible
beneath it near the W. [West] end of the defence.
Some 50' from the Western extremity of
the rampart there appears to have been an
entrance. The area cut off by this fosse
is several acres in extent. Within it and
in the vicinity of the supposed site of the
chapel is some elevated ground which is
possible forced soil.
Broch Gills (Unnoted.)
About 1/2 m. [mile] S. [South] of the road from Mey to
Canisbay church and 100 yds. [yards] E [East] of the road
through the township of Gills is a low
mound under cultivation which is evi:
:dently the site of a broch. It has been
much quarried for stones. A rotary
quern was found in it. We
were taken to the spot, which was dif:
:ficult to find, by a cheery old octogenarian
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[Continued from page 84]
whom we commandeered at his trade of shoe:
:making, A merry old soul with ruddy colouring
and a keen appreciation of a joke.
Canisbay Church.
I do not think the present church falls within
the period of our inventory. In plan it is
cruciform, with a tower at the West end
finished with an ordinary spanroof. In appear:
:ance it much resembles the church at Dunnet.
A number of
interesting old tombstones are exposed in the
surrounding graveyard.
Some 50'. S. [South] of the E [East] end of the church is
a flat slab bearing a plain Latin cross on a
graduated base. The cross measures in extreme
length 3'.9 1/2" and in breadth 1'.8".
Above the cross is a shield charged with three
crowns of four points (1 and 2) between
the initials F. G. Around the edge of
the stone runs the following inscription, in relief. "HEIR
LIES. FINDLAY GROT IN DUNCA(N)SBY QUHA DEPART
IT 18 DAY OF MAII 1601. SPES ALTERA VITE.
There is also cut on the stone in incised
lettering the initials D G and E G with the
date 1789.
Against the S [South] wall of the graveyard there
has been erected a slab inscribed to the
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[Continued from page 85]
memory of the Rev. [Reverend] Mr. Andrew Ogstoun Minister
at Canisbay who died 31 March 1620 at the
age of 83. The inscription has been recent.
A slab lying S. [South] of the E. [East] end of the
church measuring 9'.4" in length by 2'.1" in
breadth bears at the upper end a shield
parted per pale. Sinister half a stag's head cabossed
Dexter in chief a three masted ship
[Margin] see rubbing.
[--] Beneath are the letters A S. M M I-C?
The lower half of the stone contains, carved
in high relief within a frame, the usual
emblems of mortality - a skull and cross -
-bones, spade & shovel, two coffins, two hand
bells and an hour glass. The inscription
around the edge of the stone is effaced.
Beneath an arch in the S. [South] wall of the
graveyard is erected a slab bearing the follow:
:ing inscription in incised letters : " Heir rests
the dust of Mr. James Innes sometyme or 37
years minister of Canasbay who left his bodi
the 24 day of December in the year of Grace
1704 and of his age 67." followed by a verse
from Holy Writ. At the base of the stone
within a panel are the letters I M I [M above I I] 1705 [below a heart symbol which is in line with the I I and I M initials] I M
Beneath this are two shields. The dexter
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[Continued from page 86]
charged with three stars of five points (2 and 1)
the sinister with an eagles head erased
Lying by the W. [West] wall of the graveyard some
40' to the SE. [South East] of the W. [West] end of the church is
a slab measuring 5'.3" in length by 2'.2" in
breadth. It is incised with the following inscription
"Heir is ye monument of Isob. Mouat dochter to
the Laird of Bogholle Lacy Stanstel quha departit
ye 19 day of Maii 1601." - and bears a shield
parted per pale. Dexter half charged with 3 stars
of five points (1 & 2) - sinister half uncharged,
between the letters I.M.
Hollomey 13. 3. Unnoted
Motored W. [West] again to Rigifa and so by the farm
of Phillips' Mains to Hollomey. At the edge of
a cultivated field presently under crop and
about 300 yds. [yards] N. [North] of the farm of Hollomey is
a low mound of indefinite measurements
believed to contain the remains of a broch.
[Margin] see J. N's [John Nicolson's] drawings.
Some slight excavation was done on it by
Mr. John Nicolson and a small bone ring
was recovered.
Brabstermire Broch (11)
About 150 yds [yards] SSE. [South South East] of the crofts
at Brabstermire occupied by Mr. A. Sinclair
& some 3/4 m. [mile] SSW. [South South West] of the farm of Thomsonsfield
is a mound under cultivation containing
the remains of a broch. Its dimensions are
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[Continued from page 87]
unobtainable. The mound was very partially
excavated by Mr. John Nicolson and from it
were recovered a rotary quern, three water
worn stones some 6" in length each with a
groove cut around at one end seeming:
:ly for attachment of a cord, probably loom
weights, and a diminutive cup, or hollowed
pebble, some 2 3/4" in length by 2" in breadth
and 3/4" in thickness. The cup is some
5/8" in depth. & 3/4" in thickness. With the exception of
one of the loom weights which is in the
National Museum of Antiquities, these
objects are in the possession of Mr. Sinclair.
Chapel. S. [Site]
Brabstermire. (19)
The site of this chapel lies on the W. [West] side
of the high road to the NW. [North West] of Brabstermire
House. It was excavated and showed a
small building evidently of the chanceled
type but the ruins are now entirely covered
up.
As the afternoon was now far advanced
we had to turn homewards at this point.
15th Sept. [September] 1910.
For some days I have been suffer:
:ing much from a boil and today had
to call in a doctor to lance it. It is
singular that at this date last year I
should have been similarly plagued.
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I have been ordered a day on my back but I
am probably to get to work again tomorrow.
Friday. 16th Sept. [September] 1910.
This morning we were joined by
John Nicolson who was to show us a suppositious
runic stone in the sandhills at Isauld.
Borrowstoun Mains Broch 11.
At the edge of the cliffs which descend in
broken terraces of rock to the waters edge
about 1/4 m. [mile] [--] of the farm of Borrowstoun
Mains are the ruins of a broch. The
walls seems to have gradually settled
down and disintegrated so that the
ruin is now in appearance a penannular
ring of slatey fragments some 12' high broadening
downwards but with the interior com:
:paratively free from debris. The ring is
incomplete by reason that on the
N.E [North East] a narrow goe has eaten its way
so far into the rock as to have entirely
undermined the broch wall in that
direction and brought about its fall.
Nor is the destruction of the
wall the only evidence of erosion for
35' out from the inner end of the goe
is exposed on the upper surface the ragged
section of a bank of earth and stone which
originally formed a defence to the seaward
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[Continued from page 89]
of the broch some 22' distant from its base.
The entrance has been apparently through the
portion of the wall which has fallen, on the NE [North East].
The thickness of the wall is some 14' to 15' and
the diameter of the interior about 43'. At
several places the outer and inner faces of the
wall are visible beneath the debris. The tower
appears to have been surrounded at 2'.7" from
its base by a wall, visible at the edge of the
goe, 4'.9" in thickness. Some 22' from
the tower are the remains of the encircling
bank a section of which is visible on the
side of the goe, and which appears to have
been surmounted by a wall a small
portion of which displaced is visible on the E [East].
In front of this rampart is a ditch some
18' in width and now at most about 4' in
depth with a low mound along the
top of the counterscarp.
Cairn Borrowstoun Mains (Unnoted)
Some 100 yds [yards] to the W. [West] of the broch at Borrow:
:stoun Mains also at the edge of the cliff is a
cairn with a diameter of some 80' and
an elevation of 10' - 11'. It is grass covered
except towards the W. [West] where the elements have
prevented the growth of vegetation. On the
summit at the W [West] side 1' below the surface
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[Continued from page 90]
a short cist is exposed lying with its longer
axis ESE [East South East] and WNW [West North West]. It is covered by a slab meas:
:ing [measuring] 2'.7" in length, 1'.8" in breadth and 1" in thick:
:ness The cist itself is 2'.1" long x 1' broad &
1'.3" deep and is paved with four small flags.
When cleared out there were found near the
centre of the floor about a dozen whelk shells
but no remains of any interment.
Site of chapel. Isauld (73)
Among the sand dunes to the NE [North East] of the Isauld
Burn some 300 or 400 yds [yards] back from its
mouth are the foundations of a structure
of some sort, very scanty and unmeasurable
and here was supposed to lie the runic stone.
It was two years since John Nicolson had
found it and though the various objects
he had noted as guides to its position were
all in place the stone itself was gone.
Great was his disappointment but not so
great ours as the marks disclosed in his
photograph were much more like ice scrathes [scratches]
than runes cut by the hand of man.
Crossing the links we made our way to
the churchyard of Reay. In the NE. [North East] corner
are the reconstructed remains of part of the
old church measuring interiorly 16'.2" x
11'.8". Set into the W [West] wall towards its
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[Continued from page 91]
N. [North] end is the celtic cross (See Sculptured stones &c.)
and towards the S [South] end is a tablet bearing two
conjoined shields the dexter charged with a
chevron [--]
between three boars heads erased, the sinister
1st & 4th a three master ship, 2nd and 3rd a lion rampant
over all a cross engrailed. Beneath the remains
of an inscription to the effect that the aisle or a part of it belongs
to Angus Mackay of Bighouse. On the
end wall to the right of the entrance is
another panel
[Margin] see rubbings for this & stones in the churchyard. |
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Standing Stones Reay (41)
After mature consideration Prof. [Professor] Bryce and
I both came to the conclusion that these
stones were merely boulders brought to the
present positions by natural causes probably
by ice. That to the west of the drill hall seems
to owe its resemblance to a standing stone
to the fact that it has been split by blasting
and a large part removed.
[Margin] (42)
On the top of the hillock which rises to the
S. [South] of the drill hall are the remains of a
circular construction with a diameter of
about 50'. Its character is not obvious
and it may possible be the remains of
a demolished cairn.
Achvarasdale Lodge. Monoliths (unnoted)
Some 60 yds. [yards] to the NE. [North East] of the kitchen garden at
Achvarasdale lodge lies a large fallen
monolith measuring 11'.10" in length, and
square in section with a diameter of 2'.6".
Some 60' to the S. [South] of it lies another similar
stone 11'.6" in length, also quadrangular
in section, with a diameter of 2'.5" at base
and less at the opposite end. Both stones
lie pointing in the same direction viz . E. [East] & W. [West]
Broch Achvarasdale Lodge (17)
Situated in a small park immediately to
the N. [North] of Achvarasdale Lodge is a broch
which has been excavated. The entrance
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[Continued from page 94]
is from ESE. [East South East] through the wall 13' in thickness.
At 4' inwards are checks for a door formed
by a rebate of the passage wall and on the
left behind this a rebuilt portion of
wall appears to indicate the entrance to
a guard chamber. The width of the
entrance passage is 2'.9" at the outer end,
2'.6" at the inner end and 3'.7" behind
the door checks. The height of the passage
walls is 5'.4" and the covering slabs are
all awanting. The interior diameter of
the broch is 33'. From the inner end
of the entrance passage on the right meas:
ured direct at 19'.6" distant is an entrance
2' wide giving access to a chamber,
in part reconstructed, from which has
apparently risen the stair. The average
height of the broch wall, which has been
in places built up, is 5'.3" in the interior
but on the exterior it has not been ex:
:posed. There are indications of con:
:siderable outbuildings which have not
been excavated. A rotary quern
and a mortar of large size the bottom of
which has been broken out lie in the
interior and there are preserved at
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[Continued from page 95]
Achvarasdale Lodge two narrow oblong sharpen:
:ing stones rectangular in section of a fine
grained ? slatey stone.
I called at Achvarasdale Lodge & had
tea. It is one of the most charming spots in
Caithness with a garden ablaze with
autumn flowers thrown up against the
dark moors & hills to which the house faces.
The scenery of this part of Caithness is
not characteristic of this county but of
Sutherland.
17th Sept. [September] 1910.
A lovely calm morning. At 8.45
Mr. Mackay arrived with his car and
picking up Prof. [Professor] Bryce S. [Sandy] and myself
took us off to John 'O' Groats for our visit
to the island of Stroma. A puncture
delayed us somewhat on the way but
even then we were too soon for our crew.
Between Stroma and the mainland
the tide rushes & boils making the crossing
of the two miles of Firth at times a
perilous adventure. Today however every con:
:dition was favourable, and with
four tough mariners, one of them with
his shaggy white locks, blue eyes and
ruddy colour, a veritable viking, the
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[Continued from page 96]
voyage was of the pleasantest. As the
sea was calm we were landed in a little
creek on the S. [South] coast whence we had an
easy scramble to the top of the cliffs.
The island forms an irregular acute angled
triangle some 2 miles in length by 1 in breadth.
A line from North to South divides it into
two unequal parts two thirds to the E. [East]
being cultivated while the third to the West:
:ern cliffs is arid moorland on which
short stunted heather struggles to live. There
are no fences and the sheep and cattle
are all tethered. The crops seemed good,
and the houses of the crofters are com:
:fortable and clean. The population
numbers some 200 but is diminishing,
as the younger people are emigrating
to the colonies and no new blood comes
to Stroma. From too much intermarriage
there is a good deal of consumption
among the inhabitants. Racially they
appear to be of pure Scandinavian stock.
As sailors they cannot be excelled
and more than once I have been
told that the loss of a Stroma man at
sea is almost unknown. They have
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[Continued from page 97]
a reputation as boat builders and many
of the fishing boats used on the mainland
opposite are constructed in Stroma. The
people live to a great age evidently as
out of the half dozen I spoke to three were
over eighty. On the uncultivated land
I found growing a dwarf Ragged Robin,
which I believe is a rare Alpine. I dug
up a plant & sent it to E. [Elize] for her rockery
at Melrose
[Opposite page - text and sketch inserted] The vault is not continued to the floor but
rises from a ledge 6" wide 2' above the ground level.
Towards the E [East] end of the Southern shore
on a promotory rock is the graveyard.
From the centre of it rises a rectangular
structure now roofless built with grey flags
and pink sandstone quoins. It has
been finished with an ordinary span roof
now gone. The building measures 25' x 18'.5"
and is two storeys in height. On the ground
level entered by a door in the West wall which is 2'.6" thick is
a low vaulted chamber evidently a burial
vault. There is a continuous bead & hollow
moulding around the door. Above the
vault is a pigeon house on the first floor
entered by a door at that level in the E [East] wall.
It is furnished with the usual stone
nests. A stone at the S. [South] side of the West
[Continued on page 99] |
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[Page] 99
[Continued from page 98]
front bears the date 1677 cut in relief. The
height of the building is some 22'. I
believe it was in this burial vault where
Kennedy of Kalmuch the Younger sounded
the drum on his sire's stomach the legend
relating that the body was wondrously
preserved by the brine in the air! (see ? Calder)
A slight elevation towards the S. [South] end of the
island bears the name of Cairn Hill but
no cairn now remains on it.
Half a mile down the East coast from the
North end of the island is a little harbour
at the Goe of Nethertown. Beside the
house occupied by Mr. Smith immediately
to the South of this are remains which
are probably prehistoric. Some 20' to
the S. [South] of the house there are protruding a
few inches through the turf two slabs set
on edge, parallel and 3' apart while 2' to
the West of the most Northerly is another
in alignment with it. We were told
that along the coast towards the North
were many such cist like settings of slabs
known as "Picts' beds" but we saw no others.
except such as are here recorded. On the
N. [North] side of the house at the edge of the
[Continued on page 100] |
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| gb0551ms-36-19-99 |
|
Pennant - A Tour in Scotland 1769, Volume 1 p353
- that one Murdo Kennedy , son of Carumuch , is said to beat the drum on his father's belly.
Geographical collections relating to Scotland made by Walter Macfarlane - p.152
"A Tomb or
burying place built by the forsaid Kennedy of Kairnmuck,
which perfectly preserves bodyes from putrefaction, so the
bodyes laid there in coffins, without bowelling or embalming
forty years ago and upwards to this day have all the members
intire, and so firmly dryed up that they will stand upright on
their feet." |
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[Page] 100
[Continued from page 99]
bank are exposed the ruins of some structure
in which upright slabs are visible set parallel
2'.10" apart and bones, & shells intermingle
with the debris.
chambered Cairn Stroma (9)
About 100 yds. [yards] SW. [South West] of the light house at the
N. [North] end of the island is a cairn which has
been partially excavated and which appears
to have contained a chamber now ruined.
In diameter it measures some 52' and
in elevation 5'. Near the centre is exposed
a slab 8'.6" in length lying on its edge in
direction N [North] & S. [South] while 3' to the E [East] and 1'.6" to
the W. [West] respectively lie shorter slabs set parallel.
Passing Southward along the W. [West] coast
we visited the devil's punch bowl a
great circular pit into the bottom of
which the tide rushes. It is some distance
back from the cliffs and has I suppose
been formed by the falling in of a cave.
? Cairn Unnoted
At the landward end of the promontory
of Mell Head and on the N. [North] side a deep cleft
known as the Giddy Goe runs Southward for a distance of about 120 yds. [yards]
Immediately to the E [East] of this at the seaward
end is a low stoney mound which is probably
a cairn. It measures 25' in diameter and
2' in elevation.
[Continued on page 101] |
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[Page] 101
Castle Mestag.
At the N.W. [North West] end of the headland some 12' - 15'
from the edge of the cliffs which fringe the shore
stands a stack or detached perpendicular mass of rock.
Occupying nearly the whole summit has been a
small keep now reduced to a few courses of
masonry. Except by means of a bridge
the position is inaccessible.
To the north of the headland is a pictur:
:esque clett running parallel with the
face of the cliffs to which it is connected
by a bridge formed of a single flag
to give the islanders access to the outer
rocks where is their best fishing ground.
We crossed the bridge with the tide surging
some 50' below us and clambered about on
the Clett to obtain a photo of Castle Mestag.
Our return voyage was as fortunate
as our outward journey but not so our
trip back to Thurso for we punctured
twice, lost a valve, mended a tyre which
gave out and eventually crawled home
with a deflated tyre arriving at 9.30
instead of 7.30 as we reckoned.
18th Sept. [September] 1910.
Although it is Sunday I must
work to get finished this week. Wrote up
notes in the morning and in the afternoon
[Continued on page 102] |
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[Page] 102
[Continued from page 101]
[Opposite page - sketch inserted]
paid a visit to the old House at the end of
Davidson's Entry and entered from Bank St.
(See p [page] [--]) Over the fire place of a room at
the N [ North] end of the first floor is a finely carved
mantlepiece. It measures 9' in length and
1'.8" in depth and extends considerably beyond
the present fireplace. In the centre is a
monogram formed of the letters DMC & sur:
:rounded by a wreath of foliage. To the
left of the wreath is an ornate shield charged with a
shake fork and in chief a mullet and to
the right a similar sheild bearing a crescent besant
between three mullets the arms of Murray
of Clairden to whom the house
formerly belonged (Note. At the time I sketched
the coat it appeared to me to be a crescent
between 3 mullets)
At the right end are the figures
16 and at the left 79. Along the top runs
the legend "Semper focus bonus est."
The thickness of the walls of the house is 3'.
19 Sept. [September]
A very stormy day. I hired the car to finish
off to Eastwards.
Hall of Greenland (14)
About 1/3 m. [mile] SE. [South East] of the farm of Ha' of Greenland
situated in the middle of a cultivated field
[Continued on page 103] |
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| gb0551ms-36-19-103 |
[Page] 103
[Continued from page 102]
is an artificial mound much reduced by
ploughing. There is no definite indication of its
character but it probably covers the remains of
a broch.
Canisbay Par. [Parish] (12)
About 1 m. [mile] E [East] of Lochend farm, on the slope
of the moorland and stretching back from the top of the
steep bank, which has, in former times, been
the margin of a lake, are various grassy
mounds of low elevation and irregular surface.
One, beside the bank, has a dia. [diameter] of some 35' and
appears to be the remains of a turf structure.
About 100 yds. [yards] ENE. [East North East] is another with a diameter
of 45' and an elevation of 3' - 4'. Some 30 yds. [yards]
to the S. [South] is another low mound with a slight
circular depression in the centre, measuring over all
40' by 38'. The true nature of these remains is
not obvious.
Cairn of Hollomaik (22)
Situated in a grass park some 200 yds. [yards] N. [North] of
the farm of Hollomaik is a circular chambered
cairn which was excavated by Sir Frances
Tress Barry. The cairn measures, in diameter,
from 41' to 43' and, in elevation, about 6'.
At the base are several large boulders, irregularly
placed, and evidently disturbed from their
original positions, which appear to indicate
that the base was outlined with such
[Continued on page 104] |
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[Page] 104
[Continued from page 103]
stones. The chamber, which is tripartite, is entered
from the ESE [East South East]. At 15'.6" inwards from the outer
edge of the cairn, two upright slabs mark the entrance
to an outer rectangular compartment, 2'.2" in
length, and apparently some 4'.10" in width but
the destruction of one side, has rendered the latter
dimensions indefinite. It has opened between
portal stones, one only of which remains, into
the central compartment, which is circular,
measuring 6' from back to front and 7' across.
The wall, for the most part built of thin slabs,
laid horizontally and corbelled out upwards,
exists to a height of 3'.4". In the centre of
the back is an opening 2'.9" in width between two upright
slabs placed obliquely in the arc of the circular
wall giving access to the third compartment
a built semicircular recess 3' in depth. Its height has been that
of the two upright slabs which are at present 1'.10" above
ground level, but the lintel which rested on
them is broken and the roof of the recess
is in consequence in a ruined state.
When excavated there were found "two
urns of dark blue clay highly ornamented but
in fragments" also "burned wood and ashes"
(Information supplied by John Nicolson)
[Continued on page 105] |
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[Page] 105
[Continued from page 104]
[Opposite page - sketch inserted]
Broch Scoolary (13. 6)
Some 30 yds. [yards] NW. [North West] of the upper of the two crofts at
Scoolary is a low artificial mound which has
been long under cultivation. It appears to
cover the ruins of a broch the wall of which
is encountered when the area is ploughed.
Alterwal Ruins (13)
In the corner of a cultivated field,
on the N. [North] side of a deep ditch running WNW [West North West]
and ESE [East South East] & about 1/2 m. [mile] to the S [South] of Alterwall are
the partially excavated remains of a dry
built structure. The plan is now quite
indefinite. The walls are about 5' in thickness
and the building is probably mediaeval.
A jug of hand made pottery formed
from red clay, with a handle at one side
and flat bottomed with a slight constriction at the neck was
found in fragments in the ruin. It has
been reconstructed, measures 8" in height and
is in the possession of Mr. John Nicolson, Nybster.
Murza Broch (8)
About 1/2 m. [mile] ESE. [East South East] of Murza Farm in
a field and under cultivation is a
mound which contains the ruins of a
broch. (The ground being under crop at
the date of visit no details were obtainable)
Bower Par. [Parish] Cairn
Moss of Tain (12)
At the S. [South] end of the Moss of Tain and by
the edge of the cultivated land to the N [North] of Bowermadden,
is a cairn-like mound somewhat oblong
in form lying with its longest axis NW. [North West] & SE [South East]
[Continued on page 106] |
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[Page] 106
[Continued from page 105]
It measures 100' by 65' and near the centre of
its length it has an elevation of about 7'. Some
30' from the SE [South East] end two large slabs set on end
& slightly converging towards the E. [East] protrude
a few inches through the turf with which the
mound is covered, while 40' from the NW. [North West]
end stands another slab set at right angles
to the longer axis in rear of which is a circular
depression suggesting the existence of a chamber.
Recollecting that a farm steward had told
me of the existence of a "picts house" near
Lochside we set about making enquiries.
After several failures to gain information
we found the shepherd who knew of a mound
believed to be "the site of a chapel".
Long Cairn Cooper's Hill
On the top of a ridge known as Cooper's Hill
and about 1/2 m. [mile] S.E. [South East] of the cottages at Loch:
:side are the remains of a long cairn
lying with its major axis NW [North West] and SE [South East].
The prominent end of the cairn has
been towards the SE [South East]. The extreme length
along the mesial line is 220' but the
construction has been so delapidated
and spread in cultivation of the land
that other dimensions are now indefinite.
[Continued on page 107] |
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[Page] 107
[Continued from page 106]
20 Sept. [September] 1910.
As my inspection at Forse was carried
out in a fog and occasional deluges of rain
I deemed it expedient to return if opportunity
offered so today with Prof. [Professor] Bryce I trained
to Lybster & drove from there. My photo. [photograph]
of the larger standing stone at Buldoo
having been a failure I went on to Latheron
and secured another. Seeing Mr. Williamson
I made further enquiry for the corner of
the sculptured stone in the Museum which
John Nicolson told me one of the brothers
had found but could get no satisfaction.
They all assert complete ignorance of it.
Forse Hut Circles (O. S. [Ordnance Survey] "tumuli")
In the enclosed moorland that lies to the
W [West] and SW [South West] of Forse House and towards the
S. [South] end of it about 1/2 m. [mile] SW. [South West] of the house is
a group of hut circles. One situated
some 50 yds. [yards] W. [West] of the wall enclosing a
decayed plantation has a diameter over
all of 35'. The wall is overgrown and not
very clearly defined but appears to be about
6'.6" in thickness. The entrance has been
from the E. [East] and one portal stone just
protrudes through the turf.
Some 200 yds. [yards] to the NW [North West] are three
circles situated in close proximity to
[Continued on page 108] |
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[Page] 108
[Continued from page 107]
one another. The centre one which occupies a
slightly higher elevation than the others has
an interior diameter of 26'. The bank which
is much dilapidated is stony and has
probably been built. The entrance is from
the SE. [South East] but is of indefinite width.
The circle to the S. [South] is too delapidated
for accurate definition. In the centre is a
circular hollow some 8' in diameter &
2'.6" in depth apparently built at the back.
In front of this circle [arrow pointing to 'The circle to the S.'] is a circular
enclosure with a diameter of about 40 yds. [yards]
demarcated by a line of huge slabs and
boulders.
The third circle lies to the E. [East] of the first
and almost contiguous. It has an
interior diameter of 19' and is entered from
the SE. [South East] by a passage 2'.9" in width. The
thickness of the wall is indefinite
About 100 yds. [yards] W. [West] of the last is another hut
circle much ruined and with many displaced
stones lying in the interior. The interior
diameter has been some 24', the thickness
of the wall 6' and the entrance from the
SE [South East]. Some 30' to the NE [North East] and connected by
a line of large boulders is another small
[Continued on page 109] |
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[Page] 109
[Continued from page 108]
circle formed in the arc of a large circular
enclosure defined by boulders and slabs set
upright. In connection with these
circles are various curving lines of great
slabs and boulders forming the boundaries
of enclosures. They are set on end and show
no sign of construction.
Prof. [Professor] Bryce agreed with me as to the natural
character of the small mounds lying between
these hut circles and Forse House. One
has been excavated for the erection of some
structure in its interior, probably a hut of
some kind.
Standing Stone Forse.
In the corner of an enclosed wood some
200 yds. [yards] ENE. [East North East] of the gamekeeper's house at Forse is a
standing stone. It is rectangular in section,
measuring 2' x 1'.2" and
5'.8" in height above ground. In direction
it faces NNW. [North North West] and SSE [South South East].
21st Sept [September] 1910
Halkirk Par. [Parish] Long Cairn Knockglass (Unnoted)
Situated at the edge of a high bank above the
Water of Forse and about 150 yds. [yards] SSE. [South South East] of the
Mill of Knockglas is a long cairn. It lies
with its major axis NW. [North West] and SE. [South East] and ex:
:pands and rises in elevation towards the
latter direction terminating at the very
edge of the bank. The cairn is entirely
overgrown with grass and has been much
[Continued on page 110] |
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[Page] 110
[Continued from page 109]
quarried an indefinite portion having been
removed from the NW. [North West] end. As it now exists
it measures 112' in length, 31' in width at
the NW. [North West] end and about 46' at the SE [South East] extremity
where its outline is somewhat disturbed. The
elevation at the higher end is about 6' and
at the lower 2'. Along the sides the lower
courses of the facing wall is visible though
displaced. Some 30' in from the higher
end there protrudes through the turf the
head of a large slab set on end at right
angles to the main axis of the cairn.
Cairn of Howe.
Returning from Knockglass we turned aside
to inspect the remains of the cairn of Howe
from which the stone & bronze celts were re:
:covered. No where on the farm could we
find a trace of it nor did a youth whom
we interrogated know anything about it. I
fear it has been entirely removed & the site
ploughed over.
Old House Shore St. Thurso.
On the N. [North] side of Shore street Thurso is an
old 17th century dwelling of picturesque ap:
:pearance. It is a two storeyed building 57'
in length with a circular turret 6'.6" in diameter
standing out in the centre of the frontage containing
the stair that communicates with the houses
[Continued on page 111] |
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| gb0551ms-36-19-111 |
[Page] 111
[Continued from page 110]
on the upper floor. On the skewput of the W [West] gable
at the S. [South] side are the initials D W K R and the date
1686.
To the NW. [North West] of St. Peter's church is an ancient building
used as a granary. It has been entirely renewed
inside but it is doubtful if it was originally a
dwelling house. On a corbel at the S.W. [South West] angle
are the initials WS. KP. and on one of the upper
quoins at the opposite side of the gable the date
June 1627. This house is said to
have been the bishop's granary but I do not
know if there is any evidence for this statement.
At the end of the alley which runs W. [West] from
Davidson's Entry is an old house with its
back to Bank St. Architecturally it presents
no feature of interest but in a room on the
first floor is a fine old carved mantelpiece
of stone dating probably from the end of the
17th century. It is 4' in length by 1'.1" in
depth. Along the top runs an egg en:
:richment. In the centre of the panel
beneath is a heraldic shield charged in
the first quarter with [--]
[Opposite page - sketch inserted]
in the second are set the letters GMM. [middle M centred above G M] and in
the third & fourth respectively the initials I and
S. Over all is the engrailed cross of the
[Continued on page 112] |
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| gb0551ms-36-19-112 |
[Page] 112
[Continued from page 111]
Sinclairs. Supporting the
shield on either side is a lion passant
while a thistle and a rose complete the
ornamentation at the respective ends of the panel.
The carving is bold and somewhat rough.
Along the Victoria Walk & about 1/2 m. [mile] W. [West] of
Thurso are the remains of chapel. The gables have
been reduced to the level of the side walls, the
doors & windows built up and the interior
used as a burial place. It measures over all
44'.3" by 19'.8". In the S. [South] wall have been two
round-headed windows with continuous bead
& hollow mouldings measuring 2' x 3'.8" and
a larger window has occupied the centre of the
E [East] gable. The building probably belongs to
the 17th century.
22nd Sept. [September] 1910.
Left Thurso and after an eleven
hours journey reached Edinburgh at 9.15
p.m. It has been a bad summer
as far as the weather was concerned, worse
even than that of last year. The county
has yeilded much more than I expected
that was unknown. I have increased
the list of brochs to nearly 150, I have
added some 12 long cairns to those already
known and I have found a class of
[Continued on page 113] |
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| gb0551ms-36-19-113 |
[Page] 113
[Continued from page 112]
structure in the Parish of Latheron hitherto
unrecorded. These I shall designate "galleried
dwellings" as being the most descriptive term I
can think of. |
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| gb0551ms-36-19-114 |
[Page] 114
MS/36/19
A. O. Curle |
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| gb0551ms-36-19-115 |
[Page] 115
A
Achscrabster -- 5.
Achiesbreskill -- 23.
Achraemie -- 23. 26.
Assery -- 40.
B
Brawlbin -- 9.
Bishops Castle - Thurso -- 19.
Brough Castle -- 35.
Brubster -- 40.
Broubster -- 42.
Buaille Asserie -- 43.
Birkle Hill -- 61.
Barrogil Castle -- 64.
Brawl Castle -- 66.
Bower -- 68. |
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| gb0551ms-36-19-116 |
[Page] 116
C.
Calder Loch -- 1. 40. 44.
Creagan Tigh-a-Chrannaich -- 14.
Cnoc-Fri-Sithean [Cnoc Freicedain] -- 23.
Castletown -- 34.
Coer-a-Chaise [Torr a' Chaise] -- 41.
Castle Hill Broch -- 47.
Crosskirk -- 51.
Clinag Mound -- 60.
D.
Dunnet -- 34. 47.
Dirlot -- 49. 63.
DounReay -- 53. |
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| gb0551ms-36-19-117 |
[Page] 117
E.
F.
Forse Water -- 31. |
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| gb0551ms-36-19-118 |
[Page] 118
G.
Geise Broch -- 17.
Greenland Links -- 47.
H.
Holborn Head -- 20.
Hopefield Cairn -- 31.
Hunspow -- 35.
Ham -- 36.
Halkirk -- 42.
Hoy -- 66. |
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| gb0551ms-36-19-119 |
[Page] 119
J.
K
Knockglas -- 4.
Kerry Goe -- 36.
Kirk-o-Tang -- 38. |
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| gb0551ms-36-19-120 |
[Page] 120
L
Leurary -- 1.
Lythemore Broch -- 31.
Lower Dounreay -- 53.
M
Mhuilinn Loch -- 11.
Murkle -- 39. 46.
Methow Hillock -- 40. |
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| gb0551ms-36-19-121 |
[Page] 121
Mc
N.
Nybster -- 58.
Netherside Cairn -- 61. |
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| gb0551ms-36-19-122 |
[Page] 122
O.
Oust -- 33.
Olrig -- 34. 59.
P.
Port-an-eilein -- 8. |
|
| gb0551ms-36-19-123 |
[Page] 123
Q.
Quintfa' Moss -- 35.
R
Reay -- 32. 57. 91.
Rattar -- 37.
Rossy Hillock -- 39. |
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| gb0551ms-36-19-124 |
[Page] 124
S.
St. Trostan's Chapel -- 4.
Shurrery -- 5. 14.
Skinnet -- 17.
St. Thomas' Chapel Skinnet -- 18.
Scrabster Broch -- 19.
Shebster -- 20.
Stemster Broch. Reay -- 32.
St. John's Loch -- 35.
St. Mary's Lybster -- 52.
Sandside -- 56.
Sibminster Broch -- 59.
St. Trothan's Church -- 60.
Shalmstry -- 66.
Sordal Hill -- 68.
T.
Tulach-an-T-Sionnaich -- 1.
Torrovaich -- 16.
Tigh-a-Bheannach -- 16.
Thingsva -- 30.
Thurdistoft -- 34. |
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| gb0551ms-36-19-125 |
[Page] 125
U.
Upper DounReay -- 26.
V. |
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| gb0551ms-36-19-126 |
[Page] 126
W.
Westfield -- 1.
Y. |
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