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Westray, Knowe Of Burristae
Farmstead (Medieval) - (Post Medieval)(Possible), Field System (Period Unknown), Unenclosed Settlement (Prehistoric)(Possible)
Site Name Westray, Knowe Of Burristae
Classification Farmstead (Medieval) - (Post Medieval)(Possible), Field System (Period Unknown), Unenclosed Settlement (Prehistoric)(Possible)
Canmore ID 2844
Site Number HY44SW 6
NGR HY 4308 4295
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/2844
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish Westray
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Orkney
- Former County Orkney
HY44SW 6 4308 4295
See also HY44SW 1.
Some indefinite remains, apparently those of a building with a square enclosure on each side, lie a short distance NW of the Knowe of Burristae (HY44SW 1).
RCAHMS 1946, visited 6 July 1928.
Traces of a building oriented ENE-WSW and measuring about 6.0m by 4.0 m; the N wall can be seen at one point to measure 1.2m in thickness. The amorphous remains of two structures measuring from 2.0 to 3.0m square are outside the S and W walls. The turf-covered footings of a wall of uncertain period follow an irregular course from the E corner of the building in direction of the Knowe of Burristae and is probably the continuation of a similar wall which can be traced for some distance to the NW of the building.
Surveyed at 1:2500.
Visited by OS 2 July 1970.
HY 4308 4295 A rapid investigation was undertaken of a severely eroded scheduled broch site. The coastal section was cleaned and recorded and storm-thrown rock was cleared away from the seaward side. This revealed that although the site has been damaged by coastal erosion, upwards of 60% of the ground plan, together with internal floor deposits survive intact below the level of the beach.
Sponsor: Orkney Islands Council.
H Moore and G Wilson, 2006.
Field Visit (June 1981)
The wall 1.2m thick can be traced around NE corner which is
rounded. The building appears to be oval. The base course of
this wall is of edge-slabs, and other orthostats project here and
there forming no obvious pattern. The whole however suggests a
prehistoric house of Bronze Age type rather than a mediaeval
building. The dyke from the E corner runs down to the shore well
to the W of Knowe of Burristae, and the dyke from the NW also
runs to the shore on the far side of the headland. From this
dyke about 12m from the W side of the structure, another dyke
runs at right angles S from it towards the shore.
Information from Orkney SMR (RGL) Jun 81.
Field Visit (June 1981)
‘above Knowe of Burristae’ HY 4308 4295 HY44SW 6
On. grassland by the shore to the W of the Knowe of Burristae (HY44SW 1); a low rounded hilltop is crowned by a ruined structure, oblong or oval on plan, measuring over 6m ENE-WSW by 4m. Its NE corner can be seen to be rounded and the wall is 1.2m thick, the faces on both sides having basal courses of upright slabs. There are several walls associated with the structure, and it appears to be a prehistoric house with associated field-system; it has been erroneously identified with the unlocated chapel of Kirbist.
RCAHMS 1983, visited June 1981.
(RCAHMS Notebook, Orkney, No. 2, 6 July 1928; RCAHMS 1946, ii, p. 360, No. 1070; OR 722).
Field Visit (1998)
Structure and boundary banks.
A rectangular or sub-rectangular structure is indicated by grass-covered wall footings. It is located on short rough grass some 30m from the coast edge. It measures 10m by 6.2m and is aligned east-northeast-west-southwest. The walls appear to be about 1m wide and to be faced on both sides. The north end wall may be curved or bowed, while the entrance may have been set in the south end wall. Two large sub-rectangular fields are defined by turf covered wall footings. The walls adjoin the structure and the fields lie to its seaward side. This structure was previously interpreted as a prehistoric house and field system, but a re-examination suggests that it is more likely to be of a later date and could represent a chapel rather than a house.
Moore and Wilson, 1998
Coastal Zone Assessment Survey
Archaeological Evaluation (2006)
HY 4308 4295 A rapid investigation was undertaken of a severely eroded scheduled broch site. The coastal section was cleaned and recorded and storm-thrown rock was cleared away from the seaward side. This revealed that although the site has been damaged by coastal erosion, upwards of 60% of the ground plan, together with internal floor deposits survive intact below the level of the beach.
Sponsor: Orkney Islands Council.
H Moore and G Wilson 2006
