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Unst, Burra Firth, Burgar Stack

Broch (Iron Age)

Site Name Unst, Burra Firth, Burgar Stack

Classification Broch (Iron Age)

Alternative Name(s) Stackhoull; Burrafirth

Canmore ID 158

Site Number HP61SW 10

NGR HP 6109 1436

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/158

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
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Administrative Areas

  • Council Shetland Islands
  • Parish Unst
  • Former Region Shetland Islands Area
  • Former District Shetland
  • Former County Shetland

Archaeology Notes

HP61SW 10 6109 1436

(HP 6110 1436) Brough (NR)

OS 6" map, Shetland, 2nd ed., (1900).

The remains of a broch, now concealed within a circular mound, on top of which many stones project through the turf, though there are no signs of actual masonry. The external diameter of the broch has probably been from 55' to 58'. The elevation representing the broch itself is some 6' to 7' high, but it stands 15' above the bottom of the hollow on the landward side.

Viewed from the west, the small rocky headland, on which the broch lies, is seen to be defended by certainly one, and possibly two ramparts stretching from cliff edge to cliff edge across its neck, and concentric with the broch mound. The end core of one rampart is visible in the cliff face on the south side, where erosion has taken place.

RCAHMS 1946, visited 1930 and 1935.

A broch, isolated on a small promontory by a natural gully on the W, as described. Four facing stones are visible on the S arc. There has been some scarping on the W side but there is little evidence of a wall or bank here. The walling exposed in the cliff face on the S side is almost certainly the remains of outbuildings.

Surveyed at 1/2500.

Visited by OS (RL), 28 April 1969.

Activities

Publication Account (2002)

HP61 1 BURGAR STACK

HP/611144.

A possible broch on a small headland, Burgar Stack, on Unst. The building is within a circular mound but no masonry is visible; the diameter may have been from 55-58 ft.. There is certainly one rampart, and possible two, across the neck of the headland.

Sources: 1. OS card HP 61 SW 10: 2. RCAHMS 1946 vol. 3, no. 1544, 131.

E W MacKie 2002

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