Wether Hill

NJ55SE 5 centred 570 536.

(Area NJ 570 536) Tumulus (R) (Site of) (5 Times)

Tumuli (R) (3 Times)

Tumuli (R) (Site of) (5 Times)

(approximately 100 Tumuli and Sites shown)

OS 6" map, Banffshire, 2nd ed., (1904)

A large number of small mounds, or Tumuli, several of which have been recently opened and all found to contain Urns with human remains enclosed. Large numbers have been removed.

Name Book 1866.

In spite of the assertion in the ONB (1866) that urns have been found in several of them, these mounds have more the character of stone clearance heaps. The largest of them is no more than 7.0m diameter and 0.5m high and they vary in shape from almost circular to oblong. Some have been constructed around or against a large natural boulder or outcrop. Many of the stones used are larger than would be expected in the construction of cairns of this size. The whole area is noticeably clear of surface stone except for large boulders and outcrop. The area is also covered with luxuriant growth of gorse and heather consistent with formerly cleared land allowed to revert. It seems unlikely that approximately a hundred mounds could have been cleared in the last hundred years without further finds being made.

Visited by OS (JTT) 24 September 1964.

An extensive field system delimited by lynchets, field banks and stone clearance heaps. The remains of a hut circle are at NJ 5693 5307, measuring 11.0m in diameter, with bank 0.2m high, and set into a slight southern slope. No trace of an entrance.

The remains of a possible hut circle at NJ 5688 5315, c.10.0m in diameter, and 0.1m high, is partially destroyed by a bank and ditch cutting across the W side. No entrance is apparent.

Surveyed at 1/2500.

Visited by OS (NKB) 22 January 1968.

Location cited as NJ 5700 5360; classified as Site of Regional Significance. Situated at altitude of 250m OD on a moderate slope.

NMRS, MS/712/35.