Archaeology Notes

Event ID 656145

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/656145

ND47SW 1 4054 7326

See also ND36NE 13.

'On top of Duncansbay Head, and about fifty yards from the precipice, may be traced the site of a circular building of about twenty-five feet diameter, which is supposed to have been a watch-tower, and to have communicated with a similar one on the top of the Warth Hill.' (ND36NE 13: structure).

New Statistical Account (NSA) 1845.

'On Duncansbay Head stood the ancient fort of Dungulsbae, a very early, if not the earliest stronghold of the Earls of Orkney and Katanes, and apparently one of those circular edifices known as Picts' houses. It was generally held by a prefect or captain under the earl. Remains or vestiges of the building existed in 1793 (Statistical Account [OSA]) and appear to be still extant (NSA).

Orig Paroch Scot 1855

Many years ago there was a telegraph beacon on the green oval summit of Duncansbay Head, but nothing remains of it.

Name Book 1873

An apparently circular feature visible at ND 4054 7326 on APs may be that referred to above.

Visible on RAF APs (CPE/Scot/UK 185: 1351-2, flown 1946).

(Undated) information in NMRS.

There is no evidence of antiquity of the summit of Duncansby Head. The summit area is occupied by a radio mast.

Visited by OS (JB), 10 May 1982.