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Warthill
Mound (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Warthill
Classification Mound (Period Unassigned)
Alternative Name(s) Ward Of Paplay
Canmore ID 3046
Site Number HY50SW 15
NGR HY 5255 0126
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/3046
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish Holm
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Orkney
- Former County Orkney
HY50SW 15 5255 0126.
(HY 52550126) Ward of Paplay (NAT).
OS 6"map, Orkney, 2nd ed.,(1903).
At the E. side of the farmhouse of Warthill there is a prominent mound mainly of comparatively recent construction and surmounted by a modern cairn. The name however is significant being possibly associated with the Norse system of beacon warnings and assembly points established in Orkney by Saga times and continued in one form or another down to the 18th century.
RCAHMS 1946, visited 6 August 1929.
The Ward of Paplay is a mound of earth and stones 1.7m high situated on ground which commands an extensive view of the surrounding countryside. It is surmountedby a stone pillar which was constructed about a hundred years ago by Mr. Tait's (Information from Mr Tait, Nether Bow, Holm, Orkney) father. No further information could be obtained locally concerning the original purpose of this mound.
Resurveyed at 1/2500.
Visited by OS(NKB) 28 August 1964.
Field Visit (16 October 1993)
This bowl-shaped mound was visited during the Orkney Barrows Project. It measures 16.0m by 16.2m and 1.55m in height. It may have been enhanced for the construction of a trig point. It is very prominent in all directions for c.2km apart from the SE and SW.
Information from the Orkney Barrows Project (JD), 1993
Orkney Smr Note
Prominent mound; according to local information the mound itself, as well as the cairn on top, is comparitively recent - the name, however, would seem to be significant being possibly associated with the Norse system of beacon warnings and assembly points established in Orkney by Saga times and continued in one form or another down to the 18th century. [R1]
Mound of earth and stones 1.7m high on commanding ground. Surmounted by stone pillar built a century ago by grandfather of Mr Tait of Nether Bow. OS visit Aug 64.
Information from Orkney SMR
