MHG1182 - Promontory Fort - Janetstown
Summary
A promontory fort comprising a massive rampart enclosing the remains of several buildings.
Type and Period (2)
- PROMONTORY FORT (Early Bronze Age to Pictish - 2400 BC? to 900 AD?)
- HUT CIRCLE (Early Bronze Age to Late Iron Age - 2400 BC? to 560 AD?)
Protected Status
Full Description
ND13SE 55 190 320.
On sea stack still-plugged to mainland cliff edge, immediately south of old herring station lighthouse above Janetstown Harbour, is a massive rampart 2 metres high with entrance. Within, four scooped sub-circular huts. On the landward end of till-plug, another rampart and entrance, with possible guard cell on southern side of entrance. <1>
Fort is on promontory on S side of inlet, steep & narrow and with broch further up it on same side. Reused for lighthouse later. View photo. <2>
More photos. <3>
The promontory fort was visited and photographed by C Jones in April 2011. A 360 degree panorama was taken of the site at this time. <4>
The site is included in the Atlas of Hillforts of Britain and Ireland online database. See link below for site entry. <5>
Sources/Archives (5)
- <1> SHG959 Text/Publication/Article: Smith, J. 1983. 'Janetsown, (Latheron p) promontory fort', Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 1983, p.16. Discovery and Excavation in Scotland. 16. 16.
- <2> SHG23635 Verbal Communication: White, H. Comment by Hilary White, HC Archaeologist. 11/2002.
- <3> SHG23635 Verbal Communication: White, H. Comment by Hilary White, HC Archaeologist. 03/2003.
- <4> SHG26489 Text/Report/Environmental Statement: Headland Archaeology. 2012. Beatrice offshore Wind farm: Environmental Statement. Arcus Renewable Energy Consulting Ltd. Digital.
- <5> SHG27950 Interactive Resource/Online Database: Lock, G. & Ralston, I.. 2017. Atlas of Hillforts of Britain and Ireland. SC4208.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred ND 19044 32029 (74m by 77m) (2 map features) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | ND13SE |
| Civil Parish | LATHERON |
| Geographical Area | CAITHNESS |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Investigations/Events (0)
External Links (3)
- http://hillforts.arch.ox.ac.uk/records/SC4208.html (Lin to online Atlas of Hillforts of Britain and Ireland site entry)
- http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM5182 (Online designation description (Historic Environment Scotland))
- https://canmore.org.uk/site/8175 (View RCAHMS Canmore entry for this site)
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