Isbister, St Mary's Kirk
Broch (Iron Age)(Possible), Chapel (Medieval), Site (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Isbister, St Mary's Kirk
Classification Broch (Iron Age)(Possible), Chapel (Medieval), Site (Period Unassigned)
Alternative Name(s) Skaill; Grind
Canmore ID 1990
Site Number HY31NE 2
NGR HY 3997 1872
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/1990
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish Evie And Rendall
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Orkney
- Former County Orkney
HY31NE 2 3997 1872
(HY 3997 1872) St. Mary's Kirk (NR) (Site of)
OS 6" map, Orkney, 2nd ed., (1900).
The site of this Roman Catholic chapel was on a knoll formed by the remains of a structure, believed to have been perhaps a broch or circular chapel. The structure '... has been built of two concentric walls ...'
'Mr Marwick, tenant, has dug up human bones, whale- bone, shells and what he thought to be gravestones near this place. He also demolished ruins adjoining this spot...'
Name Book 1880.
A grass-and-nettle-covered mound, c. 1.4m. high, squared off by ploughing, from which protrude large broch-like stones, situated on a low hill in the middle of a cultivated field. There is no trace of a building on the mound, and no signs of walling in it.
Mr H Seaton of Grind, Evie, uncovered a flagstone at HY 3996 1870, close tp the mound, which was supported by two parallel stone walls, whilst ploughing last year. Underneath the flagstone was a pile of bones so he immediately replaced the stone and covered it with soil. No trace can now be seen.
The site may have been occupied by a broch and its adjacent outbuildings, but, pending excavation, the precise nature of the remains cannot be determined.
Surveyed at 1/2500.
Visited by OS (RL), 3 June 1967.
Field Visit (May 1981)
As described, very prominent, almost vertical-sided,
ploughing-truncated mound.
Information from Orkney SMR (RGL) May 81.
Publication Account (2002)
HY31 17 ST. MARY'S KIRK 1
HY/34018
Possible broch in Evie and Rendall consisting of a grass-covered mound reported to contain the ruins of a broch or a circular chapel, built of two concentric walls [1].
Source: 1. OS card HY 31 NE 2.
E W MacKie 2002