MHG1716 - Broch, Duncansby Head
Summary
No summary available.
Type and Period (2)
- BROCH (Iron Age - 550 BC to 560 AD)
- WATCH TOWER (Undated)
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
'On top of Duncansbay Head, and about fifty yards from precipice, may be traced site of a circular building of about 25 feet diameter, which is supposed to have been a watch-tower, and to have communicated with a similar one on top of Warth Hill.' (ND36NE 13: structure).
NSA 1845 (P Jolly)
'On Duncansbay Head stood ancient fort of Dungulsbae, a very early, if not earliest stronghold of the Earls of Orkney and Katanes, and apparently one of those circular edifices known as Picts' houses. It was generally held by a prefect or captain under the earl. Remains or vestiges of the building existed in 1793 (OSA) and appear to be still extant (NSA).
Orig Paroch Scot 1855
Many years ago there was a telegraph beacon on the green oval summit of Duncansbay Head, but nothing remains of it.
Name Book 1873
An apparently circular feature visible at ND 4054 7326 on APs may be that referred to above.
Visible on RAF APs (CPE/Scot/UK 185: 1351-2, flown 1946).
There is no evidence of antiquity of the summit of Duncansby Head. The summit area is occupied by a radio mast.
Visited by OS (JB) 10 May 1982
ND47 2 DUNCANSBY HEAD ND/4054 7326
Possible broch in Canisbay, Caithness, situated on the top of the Head. Though nothing can be seen now [1] late 18th [2] and 19th century accounts [3] describe the remains of a circular building about 7.63m (25ft) in diameter and 'apparently one of those circular edifices known as Picts' Houses." [1].
Sources: 1. NMRS site no. ND 47 SW 1: 2. Old Statistical Account (1771-79): 3. New Statistical Account (1845), vol. 15 (Caithness), 25. <1>
Sources/Archives (5)
- --- SHG2597 Text/Publication/Volume: NSA. 1845. The new statistical account of Scotland by the ministers of the respective parishes under the superintendence of a committee of the society for the benefit of the sons and daughters of the clergy. Vol.15 (Caithness), 25.
- --- SHG2606 Text/Publication/Volume: Sir John Sinclair (ed.). 1791-9. The statistical account of Scotland, drawn up from the communications of the ministers of the different parishes.
- --- SHG3350 Text/Publication/Volume: Name Book (County). Object Name Books of the Ordnance Survey. Book No.2, 95.
- --- SHG342 Text/Publication/Monograph: OPS. 1855. Origines parochiales Scotiae: the antiquities ecclesiastical and territorial of the parishes of Scotland. 2/2. 815.
- <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. ND47 2 DUNCANSBY HEAD.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred ND 4054 7325 (70m by 70m) (2 map features) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | ND47SW |
| Civil Parish | CANISBAY |
| Geographical Area | CAITHNESS |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Investigations/Events (0)
External Links (1)
- https://canmore.org.uk/site/9514 (View RCAHMS Canmore entry for this site)
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