Orkney Smr Note

Event ID 619415

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Orkney Smr Note

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/619415

A 2-plan artillery-defended tower-house, most likely founded

by Gilbert Balfour and dating 1560-72, but probably unfinished.

A probably C17th courtyard range adjoins. According to OS,

excavations by MoPBW disclosed a cemetery alongside the W side of

the castle. [R1-R6]

National Archives of Scotland Finds File:

MW/1/717(SC23400/2A)

October 1925 - Richardson ' The area in question [no plan to indicate which

area is being discussed] appears to be a grave-yard of some extent and

belongs to Christian times, but it is impossible to fix the exact period as

apparently no grave constructions were found. The coin found on the site

was a plack of James VI c.1600. There is not sufficient evidence to show

that the foundations discovered are those of a small Church but nevertheless

it is quite likely that they may be.'

Richardson wrote to Marwick for advice, stating:

'It has been reported that a large number of human bones and part of the

foundations of building were uncovered in the recent excavations within the

courtyard on the north side of the Castle.

So far as I can gather the skeletons were lying east and west and no trace

of any grave constructions were found. Seventy-five skulls were found all

in a good state of preservation and the teeth were excellent. The only

relic found was an Edinburgh plack of James VI but it seems unlikely that

this will help is to fix the date.

The foundations seem to have been built in lime mortar and may have possibly

been those of some Church.'

National Archives of Scotland Finds 1925 File:

MW/1/1160(SC23400/02)

Excavations dating from 16 September 1925 - 26 September 1925, a silver coin

James VI plack Atkinson (bullion) was found in excavations at the north side

of the castle or burial ground.

Information from Orkney SMR