Photographic copy of a plan of broch, drawing of bone ring and stone disc from Hollandmey.

Description Photographic copy of a plan of broch, drawing of bone ring and stone disc from Hollandmey.

Date 1904

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

Catalogue Number E 49410 CN

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copy of DC 48527

Copies SC 876623

Scope and Content Watercolour of Hollandmey broch, Highland, together with a bone ring and stone disc from same site Hollandmey, or 'Hollmey', broch is situated in Canisbay, northern Caithness. Part of the broch was excavated by John Nicholson (1843-1934) of Nybster in 1904. Nicolson excavated a number of sites across Caithness largely under the direction of Sir Francis Tress Barry (1825-1907) who owned the Keiss Estate. However, the work at Hollandmey appears to have taken place independently of Barry. Only a mound can be seen in the field today. Little is known of the excavations by Nicolson, indeed this watercolour is one of the few surviving records. The plan of the broch is highly stylised. The bone ring, of which two views are shown in the watercolour, is known from other records to have come from the site. However, the stone disc is rarely mentioned demonstrating the value of Nicolson's drawings. Nicolson was born at Stemster, John O' Groats, in 1843. At an early age he became interested in sculpture and art, a love that was to continue throughout his life. After he moved to Nybster, Auckengill, in 1858 he became actively involved in the investigation of the prehistory and history of Caithness. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

External Reference AUCAM PPD no number 14

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