Login | Register
Accessibility

Font Size

100% 150% 200%

Background Colour

Default Contrast
Close Reset

Duncansby Head

  • Details
  • Collections
  • Images

Broch (Iron Age)(Possible)

Site Name Duncansby Head

Classification Broch (Iron Age)(Possible)

Alternative Name(s) Duncansbay Head

Canmore ID 9514

Site Number ND47SW 1

NGR ND 4054 7326

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/9514

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
Canmore Disclaimer. © Bluesky International Limited 2025. Public Sector Viewing Terms

Toggle Aerial | View on large map
  • Correction

Digital Images

General oblique aerial view looking over the cliffs at Duncansby Head to the lighthouse and the remains of the possible broch, taken from the SE.
General oblique aerial view looking over the cliffs at Duncansby Head to the lighthouse and the remains of the possible broch, taken from the SE.General oblique aerial view looking over the cliffs at Duncansby Head to the lighthouse and the remains of the possible broch, taken from the E.Aerial view of Duncansby Head Lighthouse, Station and broch, Caithness, looking NW.Oblique aerial view centred on the lighthouse and the remains of the possible broch, taken from the NNE.Duncansby Head, ND47SW 1, Ordnance Survey index card, page number 1, RectoOblique aerial view centred on the lighthouse and the remains of the possible broch, taken from the NNW.Oblique aerial view centred on the lighthouse and the remains of the possible broch, taken from the NE.Duncansby Head, ND47SW 1, Ordnance Survey index card, page number 2, VersoGeneral oblique aerial view looking over the cliffs at Duncansby Head to the lighthouse and the remains of the possible broch, taken from the ENE.

Administrative Areas

  • Council Highland
  • Parish Canisbay
  • Former Region Highland
  • Former District Caithness
  • Former County Caithness

Archaeology Notes

ND47SW 1 4054 7326

See also ND36NE 13.

'On top of Duncansbay Head, and about fifty yards from the precipice, may be traced the site of a circular building of about twenty-five feet diameter, which is supposed to have been a watch-tower, and to have communicated with a similar one on the top of the Warth Hill.' (ND36NE 13: structure).

New Statistical Account (NSA) 1845.

'On Duncansbay Head stood the ancient fort of Dungulsbae, a very early, if not the earliest stronghold of the Earls of Orkney and Katanes, and apparently one of those circular edifices known as Picts' houses. It was generally held by a prefect or captain under the earl. Remains or vestiges of the building existed in 1793 (Statistical Account [OSA]) and appear to be still extant (NSA).

Orig Paroch Scot 1855

Many years ago there was a telegraph beacon on the green oval summit of Duncansbay Head, but nothing remains of it.

Name Book 1873

An apparently circular feature visible at ND 4054 7326 on APs may be that referred to above.

Visible on RAF APs (CPE/Scot/UK 185: 1351-2, flown 1946).

(Undated) information in NMRS.

There is no evidence of antiquity of the summit of Duncansby Head. The summit area is occupied by a radio mast.

Visited by OS (JB), 10 May 1982.

Further Details

Activities

Publication Account (2007)

Euan W Mackie Broch Corpus 2

ND47 2 DUNCANSBY HEAD ND/4054 7326

Possible broch in Canisbay, Caithness, situated on the top of the Head. Though nothing can be seen now [1] late 18th [2] and 19th century accounts [3] describe the remains of a circular building about 7.63m (25ft) in diameter and 'apparently one of those circular edifices known as Picts' Houses." [1].

Sources: 1. NMRS site no. ND 47 SW 1: 2. Old Statistical Account (1771-79): 3. New Statistical Account (1845), vol. 15 (Caithness), 25.

E W MacKie 2007

Further Details

References

MyCanmore Image Contributions


Contribute an Image

MyCanmore Text Contributions


Contribute Text