MHG55707 - Enclosures - Wick, Caithness
Summary
Two, possibly three, square/rectangular enclosures are visible on APs on the edge of a large area of peat cutting at the west end of the Loch of Wester, Wick, Caithness.
Type and Period (2)
- ENCLOSURE (Unknown date)
- FINDSPOT (Medieval - 1058 AD to 1559 AD)
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
Two, possibly three, square/rectangular enclosures are visible on APs on the edge of a large area of peat cutting at the west end of the Loch of Wester, Wick, Caithness. The two definite enclosures, from the east, are c.30m x 30m and 35m x 33m. The possible third enclosure, and the most westerly, lies on the east side of a burn and is c.50m x 30m. <1>
A coin hoard was apparently found near this site and declared Treasure Trove. <2>
The coin hoard was submitted to Treasure Trove (TT 203/12) and allocated to Dunbeath Heritage Museum. It comprised 46 medieval pennies, 20 coins of Edward I, 25 Scots pennies of Alexander III and 1 continental issue of John of Avesnes. It is a significant hoard as is not associated with the Wars of Independence, and has a high prportion of Scottish issues. A hoards this size so far north is also unusual and one two other have been recorded from Caithness. See attached TT artefact report. <3>
<4>
Sources/Archives (5)
- --- SHG28482 Text/Record Form/Project Recording Form: Archaeology for Communities in the Highlands (ARCH). 2019. Dunbeath Heritage Centre Archives.
- <1> SHG25304 Image/Photograph(s)/Aerial Photograph/Vertical: Get Mapping. 1999-2011. Get Mapping 25cm resolution colour vertical aerial photography.
- <2> SHG2170 Text/Correspondence: Aitken, M.. 2012. Email regarding enclosures and coin hoard near Loch of Wester, Caithness. . Digital.
- <3> SHG28208 Dataset/Database File: Treasure Trove. 2019. Highland Finds from Treasure Trove Annual Reports 2004-18. Treasure Trove. Digital. TT 203/12.
- <4> SHG28370 Text/Record Form: Treasure Trove. 2019. Treasure Trove Artefact Reports for Highland Area 1994-2018. Treasure Trove. Digital. TT 203/12.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred ND 31678 59388 (144m by 129m) (2 map features) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | ND35NW |
| Civil Parish | WICK |
| Geographical Area | CAITHNESS |
Finds (1)
- COIN HOARD (Medieval - 1058 AD to 1559 AD)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Investigations/Events (0)
External Links (0)
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