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Field Visit

Date 3 September 1930

Event ID 1125445

Category Recording

Type Field Visit

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1125445

Broch, Sumburgh Head. Dryden says that ‘a broch stood where the present lighthouse is’ (1). He cites no evidence, and it maybe that he was relying on the place-name, which is certainly significant (2). A later writer, however, adds that ‘its stones were used to make the dykes round the Lighthouse buildings, but its site is indicated by a grass mound, a few yards N.E. of the Lighthouse tower’ (3). It is difficult to believe that the statement as to the dykes is accurate, for the stones of which they are composed have all the appearance of having been quarried. On the other hand, between 80 and 90 yds. within the gate which gives access to the lighthouse grounds there is something which might be called a mound, and on the face of this there are what may possibly be traces of artificial construction. Blaeu's atlas (1649-55) marks ‘The Ancient Fort of Swenbrugh’ on Sumburgh Head.

RCAHMS 1946, visited 3 September 1930.

(1) Arch. Scot., v, p. 211. (2) The oldest extant spelling is ‘Soundburche’, and to this day the fishermen speak of the stretch of sea between Fitful and Sumburgh Heads as ‘the Soond’. (3) Nelson, The Cult of the Circle Builders p. 10.

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