Field Visit

Date June 1979

Event ID 614252

Category Recording

Type Field Visit

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/614252

OS 25 1900 shows Human Remains Found 1812. Confirmed ONB but no details. This map also shows the mound well back from the cliff edge. [R1]

Excavated 1887 by J G Moodie Heddle - on very edge of cliff, remains of broch of which half had disappeared. Average-sized broch 20 ft high. On top were found cists, bones, skull. [R2]

Mound 12-13ft high, site roughly 30yds square, walling visible in banks. [R3]

Mr Sinclair found bones identified as human in new exposure at NW side of broch, after severe storm Spring 1979, and reported to the police. Bones are showing on very fringe of mound at depth of 200mm but are clearly sealed with dense-packed rubblerepresenting tumble from broch. Like the 1887 finds these bones

probably represent burials inserted in the ruined broch mound.

Erosion is rapid here; Mr Sinclair reports that the banks fence, which now swings inward over the broch, was in a straight line 15 years ago, representing a loss of 3m of broch site in that time

Information from Orkney SMR (RGL) Jun 79, identified Dr Trickett, Longhope.