Hill Of Heddle
Barrow(S) (Prehistoric), Cist (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Hill Of Heddle
Classification Barrow(S) (Prehistoric), Cist (Period Unassigned)
Canmore ID 2103
Site Number HY31SW 18
NGR HY 3442 1350
NGR Description Centred HY 3442 1350
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/2103
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish Firth
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Orkney
- Former County Orkney
HY31SW 18 3442 1350.
A group of five, possibly six, mounds lies on a small spongy plateau on the NW shoulder of the Hill of Heddle, about 100 yards NW of a prominent mound (HY31SW 17). The five well-defined mounds vary in diameter from 14ft to 33ft. and up to 3ft in height. The sixth mound, 'a doubtful example', lies to the west of the others.
Lying on the top of one of the five mounds is a large irregular slab, about 4ft 3 ins by 2ft, possibly the remains of a cist.
RCAHMS 1946.
This group of six tumuli, centred at HY 3442 1350, is generally as described by the RCAHMS. The 'doubtful example', though unsurveyable, was located at HY 3438 1347. A short cist, with the west end removed, protrudes through the top of the tumulus at HY 3443 1350. There was no trace of the stone described by the Commission. A further, probable, tumulus was located at HY 3452 1354, on a platform. The tumulus measures 9.0m in diameter.
Surveyed at 1/2500.
Visited by OS (NKB) 11 May 1966.
Field Visit (11 May 1966)
This group of six tumuli, centred at HY 3442 1350, is generally as described by the RCAHMS. The 'doubtful example', though unsurveyable, was located at HY 3438 1347. A short cist, with the west end removed, protrudes through the top of the tumulus at HY 3443 1350. There was no trace of the stone described by the Commission. A further, probable, tumulus was located at HY 3452 1354, on a platform. The tumulus measures 9.0m in diameter.
Surveyed at 1/2500.
Visited by OS (NKB) 11 May 1966.
Field Visit (May 1981)
As described OS. The cist however does have a W end-slab which is set inward from the ends of the side-slabs and probably was obscured by turf when seen by OS.
Information from Orkney SMR (RGL) May 81.
Field Visit (4 April 1994)
The Orkney Barrows Project recorded 5 bowl-shaped mounds at Hill of Heddle, and noted that the sixth mound at this location was not a barrow.
1: Diameter 5.0m. Height 0.55m.
2: Diameter 4.0m. Height 0.44m.
3: Diameter 7.0m. Height 0.65m.
4: Measures 10.5m by 11.5m. Height 0.6m.
5: Diameter 4.0m. Height 0.3m.
The mounds are not in a prominent position and are overlooked by HY31SW 17.
Information from the Orkney Barrows Project (JD), 1994
