MHG1496 - Possible Broch, Castlehill
Summary
Possible remains of Iron Age broch. The current condition of the monument makes classification difficult.
Type and Period (1)
- BROCH (Iron Age - 550 BC to 560 AD)
Protected Status
Full Description
Broch lies on high point adjacent to coast path which it abuts. Ploughing up to circumference, overgrown with weeds on top. Gate post to W along the coast lane may be a reused lintel or similar . Photos- HAW 7/2003
The mound, probably remains of a broch, is as described by the previous field investigator.
Visited by OS (J B) 2 November 1981.
Broch (NR) (remains of) Viking Burial found AD 1786 (NAT) OS 6" map, (1970)
This artificial, grass-covered, conical mound, which measures 19m E-W by 13m transversely and 2.7m high, contains many protruding stone slabs and has been mutilated on N side by construction of a wall and track and by ploughing along S side. It may have been a broch but its present condition makes classification difficult.
Resurveyed at 1:2500. Visited by OS (N K B) 16 February 1965.
This grassy mound, which contains ruins of a broch, has been robbed to some extent from S. The remaining portion is some 54ft diameter and 7ft high.
A skeleton, accompanied by a pair of 10th century (Glasgow Art Gallery and Museum 1951) Norse tortoise or oval brooches, a jet armlet 3ins in diameter, and a bone pin 8cm long, was found September 1786 on top of this mound, buried under a flat stone with very little earth above it. One of the brooches is in the National Museum of Copenhagen, while the other relics are in NMAS (Acc Nos: IL 222, FN 2 & FN 3 respectively). RCAHMS 1911; J Anderson 1874; 1878; Archaeol Scot 1831; NMAS 1892; S Grieg 1940; Glasgow Art Gallery and Museum 1951.
ND16 1 CASTLEHILL ND/1936 6876
Possible broch in Olrig, Caithness, consisting of a grassy mound with many protruding stone slabs; it has been robbed on the south. A Norse burial was found on top of the mound in 1786, with two 10th century brooches, a jet armlet and a bone pin (7.6cm long) [2, 3 and 5].
Sources: 1. NMRS site no. ND 16 NE 11: 2. Anderson 1874, 549-50: 3. Anderson 1878, 329-30: 4. RCAHMS 1911b, 87, no. 320: 5. Greig 1940, 2, 23-4: 6. Mercer 1981, 156, no. 530: 7. Anderson 1890, 184. <1>
Sources/Archives (10)
- --- SHG1037 Text/Publication/Article: Archaeol Scot. 1831. 'List of donations presented to the Society of the Antiquaries of Scotland, 1784-1830', Archaeol Scot Vol. 3 1831, p.31-148. Archaeol Scot. 31-148. 61.
- --- SHG1225 Text/Publication/Article: Anderson, J. 1875. 'Notes on the relics of the Viking period of the Northmen in Scotland, illustrated by specimens in the museum', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 10 1872-4, p.536-94. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 536-94. 549-50; illust.
- --- SHG1228 Text/Publication/Article: Anderson, J. 1878. 'Notes on the structure, distribution, and contents of the Brochs, with special reference to the question of their Celtic or Norwegian origin', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 12 1876-8, p.314-55. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 314-55. 329-30.
- --- SHG12336 Image/Photograph(s): Castletown Brooch.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
- --- SHG2053 Text/Publication/Volume: Close-Brooks, J. 1986. Exploring Scotland's Heritage: The Highlands. 217, 218.
- --- SHG2251 Text/Publication/Volume: Glasgow Art Gallery and Museum. 1951. Scotland's ancient treasures: from the National Museum of Antiquities, exhibited in Kelvingrove Museum, Glasgow, 1st June to 19th August, 1951.
- --- SHG2295 Text/Publication/Volume: Grieg, S. 1940. Viking antiquities in Scotland. 23-4; illust.
- --- 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. . 87, No. 320.
- --- SHG3004 Text/Publication/Article: 1875. 'Tortoise or Bowl-shaped Brooches.', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 10 1874, p.549-51. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 549-51. 549-51.
- <1> SHG26111 Text/Publication/Monograph: Mackie, E.. 2007. The Roundhouses, Brochs and Wheelhouses of Atlantic Scotland c.700 BC - AD 500: Architecture and material culture Part 2 (I & II) The Northern and Southern Mainland and the Western Islands. BAR British Series. 444. Paperback. ND16 1 CASTLEHILL.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred ND 1937 6876 (22m by 19m) (2 map features) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | ND16NE |
| Civil Parish | OLRIG |
| Geographical Area | CAITHNESS |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (1)
Related Investigations/Events (0)
External Links (2)
- http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM2189 (Online designation description (Historic Environment Scotland))
- https://canmore.org.uk/site/8383 (View RCAHMS Canmore entry for this site)
Comments and Feedback
Do you have any more information about this record? Please feel free to comment with information and photographs, or ask any questions, using the "Disqus" tool below. Comments are moderated, and we aim to respond/publish as soon as possible.