Backland
Broch (Iron Age)(Possible)
Site Name Backland
Classification Broch (Iron Age)(Possible)
Alternative Name(s) 'Howe O' Backland'
Canmore ID 3038
Site Number HY50SE 8
NGR HY 5804 0402
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/3038
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish St Andrews And Deerness
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Orkney
- Former County Orkney
HY50SE 8 5804 0402
Crossed by an overgrown farm track 700m S beyond Skea, is an irregular mound some 0.6ha in area and up to 3m high. A trial trench dug into it by Dr D Brothwell, is said to have revealed the wall of a broch some 3m in height, but the location of the trench is uncertain. The extent of the mound suggests that it conceals outbuildings, and there is an indication of an external ditch on the NW sector.
H Marwick 1952; K A Steedman 1980; RCAHMS 1987 (OR 1177), visited August 1985
Publication Account (2002)
HY50 9 BACKLAND ('Quoyburing', Howie o' Backland')
HY/58040402
Possible broch in St. Andrews and Deerness consisting of an irregular mound up to 3 m high. A trial trench dug into it by Dr D Brothwell is said to have revealed a curved wall some 3 m high but the location of this trench is uncertain. There are traces of an outer ditch on the north-west.
Source: 1. OS card HY50 SE 8: 2. Lamb 1987, 23.
E W MacKie 2002
