Westray, Hodgalee

Recent erosion to SE of mound has exposed several walls in

section and also the convex outer face of a round building,

crudely built. In better masonry next to this is a doorway to a

chamber, the lintelled doorway 0.7m wide and clear to a height of

0.7m, much stone debris choking it and the chamber behind. On

shoreline to W of mound are two nausts, the N with drystone

lining and clearly-defined mouth 2m wide, 5m long, the S is 2m

wide at mouth and 7m long, both pointed-ended. Beneath the

nausts midden material is eroding out, in this the handle of a

broken stone tool was found. Name still current.

Information from Orkney SMR (RGL) Jun 81.

Hodgalee HY 4644 4473 HY44SE 3

This is an overgrown settlement-mound near the head of the Bay of Tuquoy (10m OD); the most obvious feature is a steep rise some 2m high, but the settlement evidently extends beyond this. In the shoreline just clear of the mound on its SE side, recent erosion has exposed several walls, including the crudely-built outer face of a round building. In better masonry next to this a lintelled doorway, 0.7m wide and clear to a height of 0.7m, opens into a chamber which is choked with debris. W of the mound on the shoreline are two nausts, the N with drystone lining and clearly-defined mouth, 2m wide and 5m long, the S is 2m wide and 7m long, both pointed-ended. Beneath the nausts is an exposure of midden material.

RCAHMS 1983, visited June 1981.

(RCAHMS 1946, ii, p. 350, No. 1035; OR 725).

This site has suffered further serious coastal erosion since it was examined in 1990. The relationship between the broch and the settlement centred on the house which is visible in section cannot be easily be determined woithout recourse to excavation and should not be assumed to be of contemporary date: the extent of remains in this area may indicate that it was a focus of activity and occupation over a long duration. A more thorough assessment of the remains is now overdue and should be carried out without delay.

(i) Part of a large overgrown mound, which probably originally measured up to 50m by 30m, stands up to 5m high. The seaward side of the mound has been removed by coastal erosion. There are traces of stone structural remains visible in the side and at the top of the mound. The coastal section in the front of the mound is overgrown and disturbed, and although structural remains are visible, it is difficult to discern their nature. A cut feature, possibly a ditch, was noted to the south east side of the mound and a series of upright slabs intervene between the mound and structure (ii). The scale and nature of this mound suggests that it covers a substantial building such as a broch.

(ii) To the south east side of the mound, there are extensive structural and midden deposits visible in section for almost 100m. The walls of a circular or sub-circular structure, some 12m in diameter, are exposed. The walls are up to 1.75m wide and protrude from the section at an oblique angle. The structure is covered by and filled with shell-rich deposits; an ard tip was also noted within these deposits.

(iii) Two noosts, probably of 18th-20th C date, lie nearby. They measure approximately 2m by 6m, have pointed ends and are very overgrown.

Moore and Wilson, 1998

Coastal Zone Assessment Survey

HY44 3 HODGALEE

HY/464447

Probable broch on Westray, now a prominent mound overlooking the beach. A short length of curved wall is exposed near the summit. There are the remains of indeterminate structures along the shore to the east of the mound which may be outbuildings.

Sources: 1. OS card HY 44 SE 3: 2. RCAHMS 1946, 2, no. 1035, 350: 3. Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 1990, 45.

E W MacKie 2002