MHG2155 - Stone rows, possible cemetery - Rushy Geo
Summary
No summary available.
Type and Period (2)
- STONE ALIGNMENT (Undated)
- (Alternate Type) CEMETERY (Undated)
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
(Area ND 394 684) 'Above cliffs on south side of geo which flanks the promontory on which the broch (ND36NE 2) stands, and at the landward end, is a group of stones - some square in section, some oblong - extending over an area of about 25ft by 16ft. These appear to be the remains of four rows roughly set in alignment some 3ft to 4ft apart. The stones vary in breadth from 1ft to 2ft, projecting about the same extent above ground, and are from 2ft 5ins to 4ft apart. Their object is not apparent.'
RCAHMS 1911, visited 1910.
At ND 3939 6842 are nine stones as described.
Visited by OS (R D) 9 September 1965.
'Landward of the defences there is a curious group of upstanding stones apparently forming 4 rows; object not apparent; very dubiosly may be an example of chevaux-de-frise'
Information from R G Lamb, 1980
Standing stones. Extending over an area of 6 x 5.50m, eight small standing stones of average height 0.30m. No obvious pattern. On the S side of the geo adjacent to Skirza broch. Elevation c.33m. ND 3943 6840.
Dr C E Batey, Caithness Coastal Survey 1980
(ND 3939 6841) Stones (NAT)
OS 25" map, (1969)
The 9 upright stones are as described above. The elderly resident of adjacent farm related local tradition that stones mark the graves of shipwrecked mariners who were murdered by an old lady when they reached cliff top. All were killed except the cabin boy who was spared. They may mark graves of ship-wrecked sailors; they are not remains of stone rows.
Revised at 1:2500. Visited by OS (J B) 10 May 1982.
Several accounts have been collected regarding the graves at Rushy Geo, see assoc. docs. File for details.
J Aitken : 29/03/01.
Sources/Archives (4)
- --- SHG1959 Text/Report/Fieldwork Report: Batey, C E. 1981. Caithness coastal survey 1981: interim report. University of Durham, Department of Archaeology. . No. 51; plan.
- --- SHG2360 Text/Publication/Volume: James T. Calder. 1842. The Graves of the Mariners on Skirza Head in "Sketches from John O'Groats in Prose & Verse..
- --- 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. . 16, No. 35.
- --- SHG310 Text/Publication/Monograph: Lamb, R G. 1980. Iron Age promontory forts in the Northern Isles. BAR British Series. 79. 74.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred ND 3939 6841 (30m by 30m) (2 map features) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | ND36NE |
| Civil Parish | CANISBAY |
| Geographical Area | CAITHNESS |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Investigations/Events (0)
External Links (1)
- https://canmore.org.uk/site/9269 (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.