Swona, The North Head
Mound (Period Unassigned), Structure(S) (Period Unassigned)(Possible)
Site Name Swona, The North Head
Classification Mound (Period Unassigned), Structure(S) (Period Unassigned)(Possible)
Canmore ID 9426
Site Number ND38NE 6
NGR ND 3910 8504
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/9426
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish South Ronaldsay
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Orkney
- Former County Orkney
Field Visit (30 April 1973)
ND38NE 6 3909 8508.
Mr J Rosie (Isle of Swona) stated that, on this knoll to the NW of the chapel, "Pictish Houses" are traditionally said to have been found. Nothing is visible now except for modern foundations.
Visited by OS (IMT) 30 April 1973.
Field Visit (22 August 2014)
What may be a very large prehistoric settlement mound is situated at the narrowest point of the Island of Swona, between the two landing places and at the principal focus of post-medieval settlement. The mound measures up to 80m in diameter and 5m in height. In view of the fact it stands in an otherwise flattish location and it has clearly been quarried to provide stone for later buildings, it seems likely that the mound is artificial and potentially of very early date. The mound is surmounted by the remains of St Peter’s Chapel (ND38NE 1) as well as an extensive township (ND38SE 15).
Visited by RCAHMS (GFG, AM) 22 August 2014
Orkney Smr Note
This is an enormous tell or farm mound some 2m high and at
least 80m in diameter.
Information from Orkney SMR (RGL) n.d.
