caithness-1911/05_181

Transcription

INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. -- [Page] 101

PARISH OF REAY.

and 1' 8" in breadth. The slab at the W. end has been removed,
as also the covering slab.
On the slope of the hill to the S. are the remains of other two or
three stony mounds.
O.S.M., CAITH., x. Visited, 15th August 1910.

367. Chambered Cairn, Hill of Shebster. - Occupying a conspicuous
position on the summit of the Hill of Shebster, some 400' above sea-
level, are the remains of a large chambered cairn. The diameter
of the cairn has been between 80' and 90', and a number of thin
slabs protruding from the debris, indicate the position and extent
of the chamber. The highest of these slabs is only some 2' 6" above
the present level, and the others merely protrude from the surface,
The chamber appears to have been 23' in length, and to have been
divided into four compartments by large divisional stones and entered
by a passage from ESE., along the direction of the main axis of the
chamber. At 30' in from the WNW. edge of the cairn is the top of
a slab set on end, 4' in length, which apparently marks the back of
the chamber. A little excavation would no doubt furnish the
complete plan.
O.S.M., CAITH., x. Visited, 15th August 1910.

368. Cairn, Achiebraeskiall. - On the slope of the hill to the E. 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 its having been excavated.
O.S.M., CAITH., x. Visited, 15th August 1910.

369. Chambered Cairn (horned, long), "Na Tri Shean," Cnoc
Freiceadain. - On the top of Cnoc Freiceadain, the summit to the N.
of the Hill of Shebster, is a horned long cairn, one of the finest
examples of this class of cairn in the county, and apparently un-
excavated. Being overgrown with turf, the exact configuration and
measurements of the horns are not obtainable, but their existence
is quite evident. The cairn lies with its longest axis WNW. and
ESE., and has an extreme length from tip to tip of the 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 greatest
extent towards the [Note] E.S.E. In that direction it commences to expand
some 70' from the end and attains 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 extremities
is some 73', and from the centre of the concave outline of the cairn
38' or 39'. Towards the WNW. the expansion and increase of eleva-
tion begin about 40' from the end, and attain to 56' in breadth and
7' in height. The general appearance at this end 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 thence to the centre of the concavity of the cairn 33'. The
facing wall is visible on the S. side towards the ESE. end. A certain