Photographic copy of a hand-written description entitled 'Flint Pivot'. See also Doc 32B, as well as PPD 124A and PPD 124B.

Description Photographic copy of a hand-written description entitled 'Flint Pivot'. See also Doc 32B, as well as PPD 124A and PPD 124B.

Date 28/9/1903

Collection Papers of John Nicolson, antiquarian, Keiss, Caithness, Scotland

Catalogue Number E 49348

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copies SC 876392

Scope and Content Letter concerning a flint pivot stone found at Dunnet churchyard, Caithness, Highland Dunnet churchyard lies to the east of the sweeping Dunnet Bay in northern Caithness, about 10km from Thurso. The area has a number of important prehistoric and historic sites and, according to local tradition, an Iron Age broch once stood where the Dunnet churchyard stands today. This letter was written by John Nicolson (1843-1934), Nybster, and is dated to September 28th 1903. It is important because it is one of the only references to a broch underneath the church at Dunnet. In the letter Nicolson discusses a flint pivot that was possibly found in 1902. Apparently it was found during the construction of a path which 'cut through some ancient buildings close to the wall of the Church Yard. These specimens formed the outer wall of the broch'. As well as the pivot stone, deer antlers and human bone were also found. Nicolson was born in Stemster, John O' Groats and lived at Nybster for most of his life. He was a skilled sculptor and artist with a keen interest in the archaeology of the area and he spent many years excavating and recording sites across Caithness. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

External Reference DOC 32A

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/875155