Holm Of Huip
Chambered Cairn (Neolithic)(Possible)
Site Name Holm Of Huip
Classification Chambered Cairn (Neolithic)(Possible)
Canmore ID 3477
Site Number HY63SW 4
NGR HY 6282 3116
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/3477
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish Stronsay
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Orkney
- Former County Orkney
HY63SW 4 6282 3116.
(HY 6282 3116) Brough (NR)
OS 6"map, Orkney, 2nd ed.,(1900).
A large, probably chambered,cairn about 72' in diameter and 10' high composed of fairly large stones which show few signs of careful arrange- ment.
A chamber is suggested by the presence on the west side of two stones, set on edge 3' apart, which appear to mark the opening of a ruined passage. Otherwise nothing is to be seen but a quantity of loose material lying about.
Named as a broch on OS map because the pile of stones was supposed to be the remains of 'a brough or Picts Castle'.
RCAHMS 1946, visited 1928; Name Book 1879.
A cairn measuring c.21.0m in diameter and 2.5m maximum height, obscured by thick grass.
The two stones described by RCAHMS are not earthfast and are unlikely to be part of a chamber entrance. Apart from the size of the cairn there is nothing to suggest that it is chambered. It is surmounted by a modern sea marker cairn.
Surveyed at 1/2500.
Visited by OS(AA) 16 July 1970.
On the highest point of the islet is an irregular mound, 21m across and perhaps 2.5m high, strewn with many flat stones. Within it, at least five short stretches of wall-face can be discerned. The size of the cairn suggests that it is chambered, but there is no other indication that this is so.
Visited May 1981.
A S Henshall 1963; D Fraser 1982; 1983; RCAHMS 1984.
