Yell, Gossabrough Haa

HU 53094 83307; HU 53110 83317; HU 53151 83386

A programme of drone surveys was carried out in August 2022 at several coastal sites around Shetland as part of PhD research into erosion impacts on heritage with the aim of conducting site scale coastal erosion analysis and vulnerability assessment. Additionally, three eroding sites were selected for rapid recording and evaluation. These had been highlighted by the local community, Archaeology Shetland members and/or by the results of the SCAPE Trust’s SCHARP Project Review of coastal heritage at risk.

In 2022, members of Archaeology Shetland reported a stone cist-like structure visible as a stone box formed of flat slabs, visible in the eroding coastal section in the sand dune at Gossabrough beach, Yell.

Fieldwork was undertaken with volunteers from Archaeology Shetland. Two stretches of the coast edge were cleaned and recorded.

At HU 53094 83307 the stone box was found to have been cut into the sand and constructed of reused former roof tiles, quarried from Aithsness, Bressay, and thought to have come from the original roof of the nearby Gossabrough Ha’. Its purpose remains unknown but likely dates from the late 19th century or later and suggestions include a post socket for a fence, or below-ground cold storage for the Ha’ building nearby which had later served as a local shop.

At HU 53110 83317 the coast edge had eroded the location of the peat stack for the now-abandoned house which was in occupation up to the 1970s. The layers of processed peat were interspersed with lenses of clean windblown sand, indicating past storm events.

At HU 53151 83386 drystone structures and midden deposits were observed intermittently exposed in the coast edge over a length of c30m, comprising, from S to N, the following features.

A small exposure c1m wide by 1m high of structural stonework of flat slabs and at least two courses of large rounded boulders, laid on a thin deposit of midden containing charcoal and peat ash. This midden overlay a layer of clean sand above the till.

A small exposure c1m wide by 1m high of structural stonework including coursed stonework six courses high, sitting above a darker layer, possibly an old ground surface that developed on top of the till.

An exposure c10m long, at its S end comprising a drystone structure apparently constructed directly above the till, with a possible stone surface and drystone walling six courses high. This is overlain by a deposit of windblown sand, which in turn is overlain, by a deposit up to c1m deep of midden material, incorporating loose flat slabs, and a possible hearth formed of a discrete lens of bright orange peat ash with a spread of quartz chippings.

Archive: Shetland Amenity Trust Funder: NERC/QUADRAT DTP

Ellie Graham and Gordon Noble – University of Aberdeen

(Source: DES Volume 23)