MHG1960 - Broch, Auchingale
Summary
No summary available.
Type and Period (3)
- BROCH (Iron Age - 550 BC to 560 AD)
- LONG CIST (Undated)
- MIDDEN (Undated)
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
Broch (NR) (remains of) OS 1:10,000 map, (1976)
In 1841 a large mound opened by Mr William Larnach revealed the ruins of a broch, with human remains and a considerable refuse heap of shells, broken bones and deer horns.
RCAHMS 1911, visited 1910; Proc Soc Antiq Scot 1873
Most of the mound was removed by farmer (J Waters, Auchingale) before the discovery of a cist over 7ft long containing a skeleton and a small deerhorn comb put an end to the work. "The portion which is left standing contains more human remains".
Name Book 1871
This broch stood on small, almost circular plateau. On top, at SW side, are remains of a turf-covered mound 1.2m high on its N side, and sloping down to merge with top of the plateau slope on its S side. No intelligible remains of the broch could be discerned.
Surveyed at 1:2500. Visited by OS (W D J) 27 April 1963
All that remains of this broch is an amorphous mound, 14m NW-SE by 11m transversely and 1.2m high, which occupies the SW sector of a low rise about 45m NW-SE by 3om transversely, which presumably indicates extent of broch prior to its being dismantled. The situation on edge of a natural slope above flood plain of the Wick River is typical of a broch. The earthfast, contiguous blocks in the W slopes of the mound may be the remains of a wall face.
Visited by OS (N K B) 17 May 1982
'Broch', Achingale. Dimensions: 16 x 10m. A small, subcircular, conspicuous mound situated on a shelf beside a river escarpment.
R J Mercer, NMRS MS/828/19, 1995
ND25 2 ACHINGALE ND/2434 5353
Probable broch in Watten, Caithness, consisting of a large mound which was opened up in 1841 [3]; it was then said to have contained the ruins of a broch, and midden material was found [2]. Most of the mound was later removed and during the work human remains were found in a cist [3], after which the work stopped. The situation is on the edge of a natural slope above the flood plain of the Wick river, and is typical of a broch [1].
Sources: 1. NMRS site no. ND 25 SW 14: 2. R MacAdam 1872, 183: 3. RCAHMS 1911b, 131, no. 473. <1>
Sources/Archives (3)
- --- 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. . 131, No. 473.
- --- SHG635 Text/Publication/Article: PSAS. 1873. 'Donations to and purchases for the Museum', (And exhibits)', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 9 1870-2, p.5-12,53-9,78-81,153-7,179-85,219-23,238-49,. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 5-12,53-9,78-81,153-7,179. 183.
- <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. ND25 2 ACHINGAL.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred ND 2434 5352 (70m by 70m) (2 map features) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | ND25SW |
| Civil Parish | WATTEN |
| Geographical Area | CAITHNESS |
Finds (1)
- COMB (Undated)
Related Monuments/Buildings (2)
Related Investigations/Events (0)
External Links (1)
- https://canmore.org.uk/site/8783 (View RCAHMS Canmore entry for this site)
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