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Westray, Skaill
Building (Period Unknown), Long Cist Cemetery (Early Medieval)
Site Name Westray, Skaill
Classification Building (Period Unknown), Long Cist Cemetery (Early Medieval)
Canmore ID 2864
Site Number HY45SE 23
NGR HY 4567 5217
NGR Description Centred HY 4567 5217
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/2864
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish Westray
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Orkney
- Former County Orkney
HY45SE 23 4567 5217.
(HY 456 521) There is a mound in the steading behind the farm-house at Skaill. It was to be examined for burnt stones or building foundations in 1935 but no further information is available and it was not included in RCAHMS Inventory.
RCAHMS typescript 1935, visited 29 June 1928.
No trace of a mound. During extensions to the farm-house of Skail at HY 4567 5217 over a number of years, human remains have been found, some of which were laid full length in stone cists (Information from Mrs J Scott of Skaill, Westray). A skull from one of the skeletons is in the possession of Mr MacGillivray who is of the opinion that Skaill covers a Viking settlement. (Information from Mr E MacGillivray, County Library, Kirkwall).
Whilst digging the foundations of an engine-house behind the steading at HY 4570 5218, burnt stones and midden material were discovered.
Visited by OS (NKB) 2 July 1970.
Field Visit (June 1981)
Skaill HY 4567 5217 HY45SE 23
In 1928 Mr Chalmers, the tenant of Skaill farm, informed Corrie of 'an old building' immediately behind this farmhouse, the site of which could still be seen as a much spread mound showing burnt stones. Many skeletons had been found there and Chalmers thought the house must stand on an old burial-ground. The area has since been largely built over, and the present owner, Mr J Scott, reports further finds of skeletons in long cists, as well as burnt stones and midden material.
RCAHMS 1983, visited June 1981.
(RCAHMS Notebook, Orkney, No. 2, 29 June 1928; OR 686).
Orkney Smr Note
Corrie Notebook was source for RCAMS typescript, the informant being then tenant of Skaill. In the steading immediately behind the farmhouse ... are distinct traces
of an old building the character of which it is now impossible to determine. Only a very small fragment of the foundations of the wall are visible. The site on which the building stands is a
much spread mound showing abundant traces of burnt stones but whether this indicates a prehistoric site or that the building had been burned down it is extremely difficult to determine.
Many skeletons however have been found on the site and the local farmer is of opinion that the farmhouse must stand on the site of an early burial ground. [R1],
Information from Orkney SMR [n.d.]
