Rousay, Sandy Holes
Barrow(S) (Prehistoric), Cist(S) (Prehistoric)
Site Name Rousay, Sandy Holes
Classification Barrow(S) (Prehistoric), Cist(S) (Prehistoric)
Canmore ID 2295
Site Number HY33SE 28
NGR HY 3662 3121
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/2295
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish Rousay And Egilsay
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Orkney
- Former County Orkney
HY33SE 28 366 312.
(A: HY 3662 3123; B: HY 3662 3121) Cairns (NR)
OS 1:10,000 1977.
When seen in 1972, these mounds were described as 'turf-covered with evidence of central excavations.' They appeared to have a content of earth with some stone; the remains of cists were noted in cairn 'A'.
Visited by OS(AA) 12 October 1972.
Field Visit (12 October 1972)
When seen in 1972, these mounds were described as 'turf-covered with evidence of central excavations.' They appeared to have a content of earth with some stone; the remains of cists were noted in cairn 'A'.
Visited by OS(AA) 12 October 1972.
Field Visit (August 1980)
Mound 11 not found. Mound 10 is now insignificant but no 9
is still a substantial mound in which the large central cist and
part of the smaller peripheral one are still visible.
Information from Orkney SMR (RGL) Aug 80.
Field Visit (August 1980)
Sandy Holes HY 3662 3124 & 3662 3121 HY33SE 28
On the ridge known to Grant as Sandy Holes, to the E of Scarba Head and 450m W of HY33SE 27, two mounds were excavated in 1936. The first was considerably spread but measured about 0.6m in height and covered a large central cist (1.1m by 1.0m and 0.5m deep) with a smaller cist inserted against the NE side; it contained cremated bone and 'cramp'. A second but ruined cist a little to the NW also contained cremated bone and 'cramp'; both cists are still visible. Some 6.5m to the S there is a low mound which covered a cist containing cremated bone and 'cramp'.
RCAHMS 1982, visited August 1980
(PSAS, 69, 1934-5, 11; Grant 1937, 76-80 and 83, nos. 9-10; Wilson Portfolio f. 9; RCAMS 1946, ii, pp. 202-3, No. 560, 3; OR 628)
Field Visit (25 April 1994)
These mounds are prominent when viewed from the E for 500m and are visible to the N, E and SE for up to 1km.
Sandy Holes 1: HY 36630 31230. Possible kerb. Measures 6.3m by 6.0m, height 0.5m.
Sandy Holes 2: HY 36630 31240. Bowl-shaped. Diameter 3.0m. Height 0.3m.
Information from the Orkney Barrows Project (JD), 1994
