MHG54147 - Turf dykes - Achkeepster
Summary
A length of turf dyke recorded during walkover survey. Possibly a head dyke, separating the farmsteads along the river from the moorlands to the E.
Type and Period (2)
- DYKE (19th Century - 1801 AD to 1900 AD)
- HEAD DYKE? (Post Medieval - 1560 AD to 1900 AD)
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
A low turf bank was recorded by J Hooper in 2001 during a walkover survey in advance of a wind farm development at Achkeepster, Caithness. It was only 0.2m high and spread to about 2m in width and appeared to demarcate the improved grounds of the farmsteads along the Thurso river from the open moorland to the east. The general trend of this bank would suggest that it could be a head-dyke; if so, the fact that it is not marked on the OS First edition map might indicate that it is of earlier date, prior to the separation of these settlements into the seemingly discrete farmsteads shown on the OS maps. Stonework is ocassionally visible; at times the dyke appears to consist of two parallel banks with a 0.8m gap between them. <1>
The lines for this feature as shown on the Sites plan in <1> are not apparent on vertical Aps [IS-L 07/11/2019].
Sources/Archives (1)
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred ND 1487 4960 (813m by 1275m) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | ND14NW |
| Civil Parish | WATTEN |
| Geographical Area | CAITHNESS |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Investigations/Events (1)
External Links (0)
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.