Newbigging

The remains of the farm complex of Newbiggings lie on a gentle N facing slope of rough moorland grazing for sheep. There are 6 main elements discernible.

I) The outline of a dwelling, c.11 m W-E by 5 m, defined mainly by grass covered stony banks with small sections of wall faces showing. The wall was originally 0.8 m thick. There are the suggestions of an entrance, centrally placed in the south wall, and gable chimneys in both ends. A small lean-to against the west gable is implied by a 3 m length of low stony bank parallel to this gable.

II) To the south of the house is a slightly raised enclosed garden area, c.15 m N-S by 13 m. This is defined by a low earthen bank, c.1 m wide, on the east and south sides with a small external ditch. The banks on the north and west sides are barely visible, except for a change in the vegetation.

III) A low earthen bank, with a slight ditch on its south side, runs west from the SW corner of the house for c.26 m.

IV) From the SE corner of the house a vague bank runs east for c.7 m before turning north for 15 m. This bank has a slight external ditch.

V) Just to the NE of the house is a vague rectangular banked enclosure, c.6 m N-S by 4m.

VI) 35 m to the NW of the house is a small rectangular enclosure, c.3 m NE-SW by 2 m, defined by a low earthen bank.

The history of Newbiggings appears to be relatively short. From a study of maps and census returns, it was built probably in the late 1840’s or early1850’s and was abandoned by 1890.

Information from Orkney SMR, 1999