Print

MHG12040 - Probable natural feature - Kyle of Durness

Summary

The rock stack is a natural imitation of a broch.

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

Full Description

(NC 3635 6664) Brough (NR) (Remains of)
OS 6"map, Sutherland, 2nd ed., (1908)

No trace remains. Info from Dr CS Sandeman, Durness, 2 March 1959.

A natural pinnacle of rock. No evidence of structure on top.
Visited by OS (W D J) 7 April 1960.

The rock stack is a natural imitation of a broch. The summit is in the form of a hollow fringed along the cliff edge by a bank containing rubble stones up to 0.9m high, but more generally 0.3m to 0.4m high, except on the S side where a natural pinnacle rises some 4.0m from the base of the hollow. It is uncertain whether this bank of rubble is artificial as the whole summit area is obscured by deep heather. No wall faces can be seen in the cliff edge and no entrance is apparent. If the bank is man-made then this may be the remains of a stack dun or eremitic site.
Visited by OS (J B) 30 April 1980.

A rapid coastal zone assessment survey was conducted by GUARD in the Autumn of 1997 commissioned by Historic Scotland from the Viking and Early Settlement Archaeological Research Project based at the University of Glasgow.

Marked on the OS 6" map, Sutherland 2nd ed, (1908) as the remains of a "Brough", the condition of this site has been commented on in the NMRS by Dr C S Sandeman (1959) as `no trace remains'. OS visits (1960 and 1980) questioned whether the visible remains were in fact natural. This survey did not attempt to examine the top of the stack other than with binoculars, as the approach is too dangerous. No obvious structural elements were noted. <1>

NGR adjusted based on 1999-2001 vertical aerial photographs. <2>

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NC 3637 6664 (23m by 30m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NC36NE
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	DURNESS

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (1)

External Links (1)