Print

MHG61699 - Hut circle - NW of Hill of Shebster, Caithness

Summary

A hut circle to the northwest of Hill of Shebster, Caithness.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

A hut circle to the northwest of Hill of Shebster, Caithness.

A hut circle identified in LiDAR data gathered by AOC Archaeology in 2011 as part of the mitigation for the visual impact on the archaeological landscape associated with the proposed Baillie Hill windfarm, Caithness. One of four arranged in a line running NW from the farm building at ND 0047 6477, to the NE of a modern farm track. <1>

The site was visited and recorded by topographic survey in 2015 as part of the 'Hidden Bronze Age Landscape of Caithness Project' undertaken by AOC Archaeology Group and members of the Castletown Heritage Society with local volunteers. The project ran as a series of four week-long field schools training volunteers in techniques of field survey, systematic soil sampling and targeted excavation. Fieldwork in week one of the field school (22-27/06/2015) focussed on using LiDAR data in the field, use of GPS to create simple maps of archaeological sites and ground-truthing sites through LiDAR. In week two (13-18/07/2015) participants learned how to create accurate plans using manual taped offset and plane table survey and total station and GPS surveys. Site 41: Penannular shaped site measuring 10.2m diameter externally and 5.9m internally. The earthen bank itself measures between 1.1m - 2.6m in width and survives up to 0.3m high. There is an entrance in the SW measuring 0.6m. This is the middle of three hut circles (Sites 40 to 42) lying on a flat terrace in a gentle SW facing slope. <2>

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred ND 0041 6483 (16m by 16m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	ND06SW
Civil Parish	REAY
Geographical Area	CAITHNESS

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (2)

External Links (1)