Scorriclet
Broch (Iron Age)(Possible)
Site Name Scorriclet
Classification Broch (Iron Age)(Possible)
Canmore ID 8806
Site Number ND25SW 9
NGR ND 2485 5051
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/8806
- Council Highland
- Parish Watten
- Former Region Highland
- Former District Caithness
- Former County Caithness
ND25SW 9 2485 5051.
(ND 2485 5051) Mound (NR) (site of)
OS 1:10,000 map, (1976)
Pict's House (site of): There is nothing to be seen here now but a lot of small stones lying on the surface of the ground, though some years ago the ruins of the cells etc could be easily traced. The late farmer removed the greater part of the building many years ago.
Name Book 1871.
All that can be seen at the published site is a mound, approximately 24.0m long, 10.0m wide and 2.0m high, containing a large quantity of stone clearance and refuse. Accoring to Mr Doull (G Doull, Scoriclett, Watten, Caithness), local tradition has it that the mound contained 'two underground rooms' - probably cells or galleries - and a well. Mr Doull himself has found several holed pebbles, 2ins in diameter, in the mound, probably spindle whorls or loom weights. From the topography, tradition and finds, this is most probably the site of a broch.
Visited by OS (N K B) 22 April 1965.
A mound used as a dump for refuse and cleared stones is as described by the previous field investigator. It is situated in the SE sector of a barely perceptible rise about 29.0m across, which is probably an indication of the original ground extent of the mound before most of it was removed. The size, and the evidence of probable cells or galleries and a well and the finds (Mr G Doull) would indicate that the mound is the amorphous remains of a robbed broch.
Surveyed at 1:10,000.
Visited by OS (N K B) 17 May 1982.
Publication Account (2007)
ND25 13 SCORRICLET ('Pict’s house')
ND/2485 5051
Site of possible broch in Watten, Caithness, now consisting of a low mound containing cleared stone and refuse. Two “underground rooms” and a well are supposed to have been discovered years ago [1] and more recently finds have been made on the site like stone spindle whorls or loom weights. In 1985 the late Gordon Johnston of the Hunterian Museum showed the author drawings of two decorated stone whorls which were said to have come from the mound at Scorriclet Farm (the farmer was a relative of his).
Source: 1. NMRS site no. ND 25 SW 9.
E W MacKie 2007
