Gallow Hill
Cairn (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Gallow Hill
Classification Cairn (Period Unassigned)
Canmore ID 8387
Site Number ND16NE 15
NGR ND 1771 6576
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/8387
- Council Highland
- Parish Olrig
- Former Region Highland
- Former District Caithness
- Former County Caithness
ND16NE 15 1771 6576.
(ND 1771 6576) Gallow Hill (NAT) Tower (NR)
OS 6" map, (1960)
Gallow Hill (NR) (site of)
OS 6" map, (1970)
The mound known as 'Gallow Hill' is natural (RCAHMS 1911) but the Statistical Account (OSA, 1794) and New Statistical Account (NSA, 1845) state that on top of the hill of Olrig there are evident remains of a watch tower; Morrison calls these the remains of a 'Pictish tower'.
OSA 1794; NSA 1845; H Morrison 1883; RCAHMS 1911
Situated on the top of the hill, this whin and grass-covered mound has been so mutilated by spoil from a Y-shaped trench cut through it that the limits cannot be defined. The trench reveals a very stony content but no traces of walling can be seen.
Revised at 1:2500.
Visited by OS (N K B) 17 February 1965
The mound of 'Gallow Hill' is the deeply trenched and disfigured remains of a turf-covered cairn, situated prominently on a false crest. It measures approximately 18.0m in diameter and 1.5m high.
Surveyed at 1:2500.
Visited by OS (J B) 15 February 1982
Mound, Gallow Hill. Diameter: 40m. Mound set on larger circular mound most distinct on the S nad E sides. No structural traces visible.
R J Mercer, NMRS MS/828/19, 1995.