Hoy, Tuack Of The Witter
Mound (Period Unknown)
Site Name Hoy, Tuack Of The Witter
Classification Mound (Period Unknown)
Canmore ID 1594
Site Number HY20SW 5
NGR HY 22348 04645
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/1594
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish Hoy And Graemsay
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Orkney
- Former County Orkney
HY20SW 5 2234 0464
Tuak of the Witter, known locally as the 'Pict's House' is an apparently artificial mound 0.7m high, standing on the highest point of the Witter (121m OD). No traces of burnt earth or stones could be found, but the fact that the mound is perfectly circular, allied to the strong local tradition, suggests that it is of some antiquity. No finds have been reported from the area.
Surveyed at 1:2500.
Visited by OS (RB) 18 September 1964.
Field Visit (August 1987)
Tuack of the Witter HY 2234 0464 HY20SW 5
The circular mound, 8m in diameter and 0.7m high, on the summit of the Witter (121 m OD), shows no diagnostic features, but it is certainly artificial and its position suggests a burial mound.
RCAHMS 1989, visited August 1987.
(RCAHMS 1946, ii, p. 112, No. 388; OR 1921).
Orkney Smr Note
A small knoll on top of the Witter. [R1]
Remains now visible here appear to be recent.
[R2]
....appears to be quite a natural formation. There is a
rough stony mound about 25ft in diameter, 3ft high, near the crest
of the point marked on the map as the Tuak, but it is no more
than the remains of a pig stye similar to a number of others that
occur along the banks of the Kirk Burn. [R3]
Information from Orkney SMR [n.d.]
