caithness-1911/05_204

Transcription

[Page] 120 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION.

PARISH OF THURSO.

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.
O.S.M., CAITH., iv. Visited, 17th August 1910.

435. Broch, Hoy. - 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 demolition of the tower on one side, and elsewhere
the facing stones have been in large measure removed. The diameter
of the mound as it remains is some 45', and its elevation 13' to 14'.
A section of the wall exposed shows it to have been 15' in thickness.
About 1' below the surface on the top of the mound at the S. edge
are protruding the remains of a human skeleton. The body has
been laid extended E. and W.
O.S.M., CAITH., xi. Visited, 7th September 1910.

[In margin] OLRIG Ph.

436. Broch, Ha' of Duran. - Some 300 yards WNW. 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 elevaton of the mound is inconsiderable.
O.S.M., CAITH., xii. Visited, 9th September 1910.

437. Broch, "Tulloch of Shalmstry," Weydale. - Situated on the
E. side of the road from Thurso to Georgemas, and some 300 yards
SE. of Shalmstry farm, is a green mound containing the ruins of a
broch. The outer face of the wall is exposed towards the S.E., 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. ,
has been cleared out at its outer termination and there measures
2' 10" in width.
O.S.M., CAITH., xi. Visited, 7th September 1910.

438. Fort, Holburn Head. - Across the landward end of the east-
most 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
benn 7' or 8'. In fron of this defence the neck of the promontory
is cut into from either side by deep narrow chasms into which the
waves break, reducing the passage-way to about 60 yards. The
entrance through the wall has been opposite this passage
O.S.M., CAITH., v. Visited, 13th August 1910.

SEPULCHRAL CONSTRUCTIONS.

439. Chambered Cairn (horned, long), "Gallow Hill," Sordale Hill.-
Near the SW. end of Sordale 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. The cairn is overgrown with grass and heather, and the
horns are obscured with the exception of that on the E. side of
the SSE. extremity. The longest axis lies NNW. and SSE., and the