Fair Isle, Landberg

Fort, South Haven, Fair Isle. About 300 to 350 yds. S.S.W. of the landing-place at North Haven, Fair Isle, is a small rocky headland which separates South Haven from Mavers Geo. The promontory runs N. and S. and is approximately 175 ft. long with an average width of 32 ft., narrowing to a point at the S. end. Its E. and W. sides drop precipitously from a height of about 70 ft. into the sea. The narrow and somewhat lower neck on the N. has been defended by ramparts drawn across it, with ditches between them, and possibly also by an inner wall, now an indefinite foundation. The ramparts, which are mainly formed of small stones, average about3 ft. in height, and there are three of them on the E., but only two on the W. side of . the approach, which runs through them in a straight line. Remains of a rectangular building or shelter near the entrance seem to be of later date.

RCAHMS 1946, visited 19 August 1930.

OS 6" map, Shetland, 2nd ed.,(1903).

A promontory fort, as described.

Visited by OS (RL) 1 June 1968.

HZ 2230 7225. During July 1996 excavations were carried out by J R Hunter and the Birmingham University Field Archaeology Unit in view of significant threats posed by coastal erosion as well as by rabbit and puffin burrows. Previous survey had identified that the main surviving deposits occurred at the N (landward) end of the promontory where it was possible to determine the outline of a small rectangular structure. Work was concentrated in this area as part of an exploratory trench which bisected the whole length of the promontory and its associated landward defences.

Excavation showed that the topography of the N end of the promontory was largely artificial and had been constructed using substantial stones secured by lines of revetment. The seaward perimeter of the promontory may also have been fortified, trial trenching identifying a chamber or passage cut into the bedrock. Curved walling lines consisting of large beach boulders were recorded at the N end below the rectangular structure, these will be investigated further in 1997 together with a series of boundary features and enclosures which lie on the approach to the promontory.

The rectangular structure was identified as measuring c 9 x 5.5m in its final state, although the walling indicated several stages of rebuilding and change. The E end was more elaborately formed and paved, and suggested an earlier ecclesiastical use. The horizons were extremely disturbed by burrowing but produced both coarse wares and post-medieval material.

Sponsors: Historic Scotland, Birmingham University, National Trust for Scotland.

J R Hunter 1996

HZ 2230 7225. July and August 1997 saw continued excavations by Birmingham University Field Archaeology Unit against the continued threat of coastal erosion and burrowing. Work was again concentrated on the N (landward) end where the exploratory trench bisecting the promontory was completed. Excavation and further survey of the buildings and structures identified last year was also undertaken (Hunter 1996).

The position of the ramparts appeared to have been determined by rises in the bedrock planes, with the ramparts being accentuated by the upcast from the ditches. There was little evidence of any recutting or of maintenance. Access across to the promontory itself was by means of a raised pathway on which two or three surfaces were discerned, the latest being cobbled. This led to the front edge of the promontory which was marked by a faced wall of large stones, revetted in at least three places. Trial trenching in 1996 had revealed a sub-rectangular building constructed within the ramparts measuring c 5 x 3m. This appeared to have been built after the outer ditch and rampart had collapsed, providing a base for the floor and suitable slabbing for crude walls. A narrow doorway was identified on its W side; a central fire area pointed to three phases of occupation.

The extent of the burrowing had depleted many of the primary features on the promontory, although part of a curved length of walling and narrow bands of possible floor surfaces had survived. The latter occurred in a small area at the cliff edge and had been cut by a sub-circular feature some 4m wide which had been cut into the bedrock to a depth of some 1.5m.

A roundhouse was later constructed on the eastern side of the promontory. This was defined by a double-faced outer wall and contained an inner zone defined by an arc of concentric orthostats. The internal diameter was approximately 4m. Surviving internal features included a stone-sided tank and wall alcoves as well as an elaborate stone hearth. Pottery evidence points to occupation broadly within the broch period. A number of later hearths were also recorded of which one, built into the demolition of the roundhouse, yielded remains of moulds for copper-alloy working.

The site was subsequently used to house a rectangular building located directly above the roundhouse. This appeared to belong to the Middle Ages and continued in use, probably as a chapel, into the 17th or 18th century (Hunter 1996).

Sponsors: Historic Scotland, National Trust.

J R Hunter 1997.

The precipitous promontory forming the W side of South Haven is occupied by a small fortification comprising up to three ramparts and ditches drawn across its narrow neck on the NNE. The outer ramparts stand about 1.2m above the bottoms of the external ditches, while the innermost, set above a natural cleft that has been adapted for a ditch, is a more substantial wall. The interior thus forms a narrow raised plateau extending to the rear of this wall and measures about 50m in length from NNE to SSW, and as a result of heavy erosion along its flanks no more than 12m in breadth (0.05ha). The entrance is threaded along an undug causeway on the NNE, but while three ditches are visible on the E, the stubs of only two can be seen on the W. The only feature visible within the interior is a rectangular building, which proved on excavation in 1996-7 (Hunter 1996; 1997) to be the remains of a chapel. Evidence of earlier occupation was also uncovered, in which a curved wall-line and possible floor surfaces were cut by a sub-circular pit 4m across and 1.5m deep, and superseded by a round-house 4m in internal diameter. A hearth built into the demolished round-house was associated with moulds for copper-alloy artefacts.

Information from An Atlas of Hillforts of Great Britain and Ireland – 13 December 2016. Atlas of Hillforts SC2861