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Shapinsay, Girnigoe
Beacon Stance (Period Unassigned)(Possible), Cairn (Period Unassigned)(Possible)
Site Name Shapinsay, Girnigoe
Classification Beacon Stance (Period Unassigned)(Possible), Cairn (Period Unassigned)(Possible)
Canmore ID 3138
Site Number HY52SW 6
NGR HY 5238 2123
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/3138
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish Shapinsay
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Orkney
- Former County Orkney
HY52SW 6 5238 2123.
At HY 5238 2123 on a knoll, is a turf-covered mound 7.8m in diameter and 0.6m high. Stones are visible in a mutilation in the S arc. It is probably a cairn.
Surveyed at 1/2500.
Visited by OS(AA) 2 October 1972
A rocky knoll 350m NE of Girngoe is surmounted by a mound 7.8m in diameter and 0.6m high. Trampling by cattle has denuded the top of the mound, and has revealed that it is composed of brown earth; a few small stones are visible in exposures on the N and S margins.
RCAHMS 1946; 1987, visited July 1984
Field Visit (6 April 1994)
The Orkney Barrows Project noted a ditch c.2.5m wide and a possible cist at this bowl-shaped mound. Measuring 10.m by 11.0m and 0.6m in height, this mound is visible on the skyline to the N and E for 1-3km.
Information from the Orkney Barrows Project (JD), 1994
Orkney Smr Note (1998)
Cattle trampling have exposed a 3m diameter patch on the
mound summit, showing a content of pure brown earth. There are a
few stones exposed on the margin on the N side and some small
broken stones in the exposure on the N side and some small broken
stones in the exposure noted by OS on the S side. One of the
stones exposed on the N side is a small edge-set slab, although
this is a bit wobbly. Probably a small burial mound. The mound
is especially prominent, its profile distinct from that of the
knoll on which it is set, when viewed from the E. The field has
at times been ploughed but now is long-term pasture.
Information from Orkney SMR (RGL) Jul 84.
Partly excavated as part of the 'Barrows Project' in 1998 by J Downes. This revealed that this was probably the site of a beacon fire. Sherds of medieval or later pottery were recovered from the upper layers of the mound.
Information from Orkney SMR
