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The Five Hillocks, Rashieburn
Barrow(S) (Prehistoric)
Site Name The Five Hillocks, Rashieburn
Classification Barrow(S) (Prehistoric)
Alternative Name(s) Rasheyburn
Canmore ID 2342
Site Number HY40NE 4
NGR HY 4598 0536
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/2342
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish Holm
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Orkney
- Former County Orkney
HY40NE 4 4598 0536.
(HY 4598 0536) The Five Hillocks (NAT)
OS 6" map, Orkney, 2nd ed.,(1903).
The Five Hillocks are a group of eight mounds situated on a hillside, surrounded by a bank or rampart, with a spread of 10ft and a height of 1ft to 1ft 6ins, on the NW or upper side of which there is a break suggesting an entrance:
Mound No. Overall Diameter ft Height ft.
1 40 6-7
2 40 6-7
3 35 2-3
4 25 4
5 20 5
6 30 3.5
7 18 2
8 15 1
The mounds appear to represent the upcast from the ditch-like depressions between them. All have been dug into so that each has a depression on the top. The purpose of the assemblage nor the reason for the 'lay-out' is apparent. The farmer of Rasheyburn (HY 46 05) in ploughing the fields on the south met with relics of prehistoric times - including a glass bead, leaf-shaped arrow heads and part of a hammer of ironstone.
RCAHMS 1946.
There are eight earthen mounds of varying size in the group known as the Five Hillocks. A slight bank of earth with no apparent entrance surrounds them.
Mound "3" has been almost destroyed. The depressions in the tops of the others are all shallow except for that in "8" which extends to ground level and contain an earth-fast stone. This stone 0.3m long, is set on edge andmay have formed part of a cist.
The appearance of the mounds is consistent with them being tumuli and they are similar to other groups of probable tumuli in the area e.g. Orkney 108 SE and Orkney 109 SW.4.
The group is now cultivated but the farmer has found nothing.
Surveyed at 1:2500.
Visited by OS (NKB), 7 April 1964.
Field Visit (7 April 1964)
There are eight earthen mounds of varying size in the group known as the Five Hillocks. A slight bank of earth with no apparent entrance surrounds them.
Mound "3" has been almost destroyed. The depressions in the tops of the others are all shallow except for that in "8" which extends to ground level and contain an earth-fast stone. This stone 0.3m long, is set on edge andmay have formed part of a cist.
The appearance of the mounds is consistent with them being tumuli and they are similar to other groups of probable tumuli in the area e.g. Orkney 108 SE and Orkney 109 SW.4.
The group is now cultivated but the farmer has found nothing.
Surveyed at 1:2500.
Visited by OS (NKB) 7 April 1964.
Field Visit (16 October 1993)
These mounds were visited during the Orkney Barrows Project. The numbering below is the same as that used by RCAHMS. The bank surrounding this group remains on the NW side. This group is not simply a cemetery, as at least one of the mounds is a burnt mound. The group is reminiscent of Tofts Ness or Isbsiter/Northwald.
Five Hillocks 1: Burnt mound. Diameter 12.0m. Height 2.0m. Burnt stones and charcoal visible.
Five Hillocks 2: Bowl-shaped. Diameter 12.0m. Height 2.0m.
Five Hillocks 3: Uncertain shape. Measures 10.0m by 12.0m. Height 0.25m.
Five Hillocks 4: Bowl-shaped. Diameter 7.6m. Height 1.2m.
Five Hillocks 5: Not measured.
Five Hillocks 6: Bowl-shaped. Diameter 9.1m. Height 1.0m.
Five Hillocks 7: Not measured.
Five Hillocks 8: Not measured.
All the mounds are visible to the S and SW for up to 1km.
Information from the Orkney Barrows Project (JD), 1993
Orkney Smr Note
Eight mounds within a bank having a spread of 10ft, height 1ft - 1ft 6in. Possible entrance in NW. Enclosure is 140ft x 110ft. Mounds appear to represent upcast of ditch-like depressions between them, all have been dug into. In ploughing field to the S the farmer found a glass bead, a leaf-shaped arrow head and a stone hammer. [R1]
Eight variously-sized earth mounds surrounded by a slight bank with no apparent entrance. One mound almost destroyed, the others have shallow depressions in the tops but on has a deeper depression containing an earth-fast stone possibly part of a cist. Probably tumuli. Cultivated, but farmer has found nothing. OS visit April 1964.
Information from Orkney SMR [n.d.]
