Archaeology Notes

Event ID 642861

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/642861

HU40NW 1 4077 0803.

(Area: HU 407 079) The Mul of Sumburgh or the extreme point of the headland is fortified in the same manner as the Mul of Uist. Here the neck of land is cut by a ditch and strong wall, which must in old times have formed a considerable fortification. It encloses a plain and hill (The head); at the entrance, still observable, the foundation of a large house, which probably served as a guardroom ; along the wall and at some distance the marks of numerous small buildings. (G Low 1879).

J Stewart 1956.

Dryden says that a broch stood where the present lighthouse is (H Dryden 1873). He cites no evidence and it may be that he was relying on the place-name which is certainly significant. On the other hand, between 80 and 90 yards 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 traces of what may possibly be artificial construction.

Blaeu's Atlas (1649-55) marks the 'Ancient Fort of Swenbrugh' on Sumburgh Head.

At HU 4077 0803, where the neck of land, joining the mainland to Sumburgh Head, narrows to about 50.0m there are traces of two stony ramparts with possibly external ditches. The ramparts are reduced to scarps 0.8m and 0.5m high respectively and the ditches to mere terraces. A short stretch of walling is visible in the inner rampart at its west end before all traces of these defences are obliterated by the modern road to the lighthouse. No evidence was seen of a broch on the headland. Surveyed at 1/2500.

Visited by OS(WDJ) 20th May 1968.