North Ronaldsay, Hill Of Holland
Structure (Iron Age)(Possible)
Site Name North Ronaldsay, Hill Of Holland
Classification Structure (Iron Age)(Possible)
Canmore ID 3675
Site Number HY75SE 27
NGR HY 7538 5322
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/3675
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish Cross And Burness
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Orkney
- Former County Orkney
HY75SE 27 7538 5322
During reservoir construction c1964 on hill summit, drystone walling and midden material found. Now no trace.
Visited by OS, July 1970.
In putting in water tank c1968 an 'Iron Age House' was found and 'excavated'. (Information from Mr and Mrs T Muir, Garso). Needles, whorls, combs, etc were found. E V Macgulliuray visited and said it was not worth keeping open. Filled in and tank re-sited.
North of Scotland Archaeological Services index (NRO) 36.
Site was near church, about 10 yards W of and in line with S wall of churchyard. Visited briefly by E V Macgulliuray 9 July 1964 after discovery and partial destruction by mechanical digger. He saw a corner of a building with one rectangular recess and traces of another, and traces of a drain. The hole was about 15 feet square. Extensive midden deposits round about. Some shells, bones, stone implements, pieces of mica-schist of Shetland origin. Quite a lot of charcoal lying about; Macgulliuray suggested site of beacon hearth me ntion in Orkneyinga Saga, this being the highest point of the island.
Information in letter from E V MacGulliuary to S Cruden 10 July 1964 in SDD file.
Note (1980)
Hill of Holland, North Ronaldsay HY 7538 5322 HY75SE(M)
During reservoir construction on the hilltop in the 1960s-an 'Iron Age house' was revealed, producing needles, whorls, combs, etc.; it was filled in and the tank resited.
RCAHMS 1980
(OR 230)
