Following the launch of trove.scot in February 2025 we are now planning the retiral of some of our webservices. Canmore will be switched off on 24th June 2025. Information about the closure can be found on the HES website: Retiral of HES web services | Historic Environment Scotland
Stronsay, John's Hill
Mound (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Stronsay, John's Hill
Classification Mound (Period Unassigned)
Alternative Name(s) John's Hilla; St John's Hill; Midgarth
Canmore ID 3322
Site Number HY62NW 14
NGR HY 6347 2891
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/3322
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish Stronsay
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Orkney
- Former County Orkney
HY62NW 14 6347 2891
(HY 6347 2891) Burial Ground (NR)
(Detail omitted from 2nd Ed 6")
OS 6" map, Orkney, 1st ed., (1879).
'A small patch of rough pasture which tradition says is the place where the people of Stronsay who were slain in a battle between them and the Sanday people were buried.' (If this were a burial ground, the neighbouring name 'St. John's Hill' might have some relevance).
Name Book 1879.
Marwick states that the O.S. are in error in calling this hill 'St. John's Hill'. It should be 'John's Hilla'.
H Marwick 1927.
The site is marked by a slight rise in a pasture field otherwise no further information.
Visited by OS (RL), 15 July 1970.
This spot near Midgarth was remembered as an ancient burial-site. By 1928 the mound had been almost entirely cleared away, and no trace now remains.
RCAHMS 1946, visited 1928; RCAHMS 1984, visited July 1979.
