Orkney Smr Note
Date May 1979
Event ID 614214
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Orkney Smr Note
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/614214
Recently discovered castle-square keep, its masonry showing traces of lime mortar, on a stone motte the nucleus of which is an earlier building. [R1]
Perhaps built by Hakon the Elder. [R2]
Recent excavations exposed two chambers, superimposed lower and earlier is prehistoric, irregular, walls of which only inner faces visible, are 5ft 3in high and have pronounced batter. Six steps down in SE corner. Opening at E end, blocked, presumably during building of upper structure which is rectangular, 32 x
26ft ext., wall thickness 6-7ft. Entrance in W wall. Inside of E wall recessed near S end. Age uncertain. [R3]
Domestic structure on top of mound excavated 1929-31 by Rev P B Clayton who erected a protective wall around it.
Generally as described but not all features mentioned by RCAMS now visible. No trace of any circular construction which might be a broch.
OS visit Aug 1964.