MHG1031 - Promontory Fort, Neck of Brough
Summary
No summary available.
Type and Period (1)
- PROMONTORY FORT (Iron Age - 550 BC? to 560 AD?)
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
Fort (NR) OS 1:10,000 map, (1976)
Broch (site of): Mr Banks (J Banks, Thurso), an old and very intelligent man, and Mr Cairncross (J Cairncross, Thurso), inform me that this place was once fortified, and that it is not many years since portions of the fortifications were visible - in fact cropping stones may now be seen here and there, similar to those at the Old Camp at Holburn Head (ND17SW 1).
Name Book 1872.
An L-shaped, cliff-girt promontory fort angling round to lie parallel with the mainland from which it is separated by a deep geo. Along the landward edge is a grass-covered bank from which traces of dry-stone walling protrude. The isthmus, which is lower, has been wave-scoured to bare rock and no defensive features survive. No other structures are visible on the promontory.
RCAHMS 1911; R G Lamb 1980; Visited by OS (N K B) 22 October 1964.
The only approach to the promontory is from SW by an isthmus 2m max width. The lightly built, turf-covered wall, 0.5m high and 1.5m broad, stretching 56m along S edge of the promontory crowns a sheer cliff and is superfluous as a defence. There is no indication that it continued across the isthmus, though it is probable that it has been eroded away.
The remains appear to be of considerable antiquity, but the light build and position of wall do not suggest an Iron Age fortification. It is possible that this has been a Celtic monastic settlement, the wall being a demarcation rather than a defence (cf. NC46NW 4 & 5). Visited by OS (N K B) 19 August 1981.
A promontory fort, 70m NW-SE by 45m, comprising a grass-covered slab wall, 1.3m high, running along edge of the geo. There are hut circles nearby.
R J Mercer 1981.
Features on isthmus, probably removed by wave scour.
R Lamb 1981 (see archive).
The site is included in the Atlas of Hillforts of Britain and Ireland online database. See link below for site entry. <1>
Sources/Archives (5)
- --- SHG2511 Text/Report/Fieldwork Report: Mercer, R J. 1981. Archaeological field survey in northern Scotland: volume II, 1980-81. University of Edinburgh. 30/12/1981. Paper and Digital. 76, 143, No. 371.
- --- SHG2664 Text/Report: RCAHMS. 1911. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Scotland. Third report and inventory of monuments and constructions in the county of Caithness. . 125, No. 454.
- --- SHG310 Text/Publication/Monograph: Lamb, R G. 1980. Iron Age promontory forts in the Northern Isles. BAR British Series. 79. 73.
- --- SHG3341 Text/Publication/Volume: Name Book (County). Object Name Books of the Ordnance Survey. Book No. 11, 51.
- <1> SHG27950 Interactive Resource/Online Database: Lock, G. & Ralston, I.. 2017. Atlas of Hillforts of Britain and Ireland. SC2815.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred ND 0609 7094 (100m by 100m) (2 map features) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | ND07SE |
| Civil Parish | THURSO |
| Geographical Area | CAITHNESS |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Investigations/Events (0)
External Links (2)
- http://hillforts.arch.ox.ac.uk/records/SC2815.html (Link to online Atlas of Hillforts of Britain and Ireland site entry)
- https://canmore.org.uk/site/7984 (View RCAHMS Canmore entry for this site)
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