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Newbigging

Farmstead (Period Unassigned)

Site Name Newbigging

Classification Farmstead (Period Unassigned)

Canmore ID 157191

Site Number HY50SW 27

NGR HY 5032 0400

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/157191

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
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Administrative Areas

  • Council Orkney Islands
  • Parish Holm
  • Former Region Orkney Islands Area
  • Former District Orkney
  • Former County Orkney

Archaeology Notes

HY50SW 27 5032 0400

As part of an agri-environment scheme a survey was conducted of archaeological monuments on land at New Holland Farm, on mainland Orkney. An area of 325ha was surveyed resulting in the identification of 26 sites including a farmstead at Newbiggings (HY 5032 0400).

Full details are lodged with the NMRS.

Sponsor: Historic Scotland

N Card 1999

Activities

Orkney Smr Note (1999)

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

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