MHG12597 - Homestead, Borgie Bridge
Summary
No summary available.
Type and Period (3)
- HOMESTEAD (Early Medieval - 561 AD to 1057 AD)
- (Alternate Type) CASTLE (Early Medieval - 561 AD to 1057 AD)
- (Alternate Type) RINGWORK (Early Medieval - 561 AD to 1057 AD)
Protected Status
Full Description
NC65NE 1 6711 5872.
Dun (NR) OS 6" map (1962)
Previously classified as a possible broch (RCAHMS 1911, visited 1909; A Graham 1947) or a dun (OS {JLD}, visited 26 April 1960), this well-preserved earthwork resembles a defended homestead. It is situated on edge of a natural escarpment overlooking Borgie valley and consists of a semi-circular ditch averaging 8m wide by 2 m deep from which material has gone to form a flat-topped mound c18m diameter and 2m high. Ditch stops short of escarpment at both ends where there are slight counterscarps. A straight-edged but splayed causeway across ditch in SE measures 5.4 m wide on outside and 3.7 m wide on inner. Eccentrically placed on top of mound is a stone-walled structure so reduced that its shape cannot be determined with any accuracy. In S, where it is best preserved, several inner and outer facing-stones give a wall thickness of 1.6 m. The classification of site offers problems. The raised central mound constructed from material from ditch is reminiscent of a motte, but presence of causeway and eccentric stone structure argue against this. It would appear to be a defended homestead of uncertain date (cf. NC75NW 14).
Surveyed at 1:2500. Visited by OS (AA) 21 July 1971
A defended earthwork of enigmatic type, as described and illustrated by the previous field investigators. This form of ditch is found occasionally in association with brochs (see NC75SW 9 and NC91NE 27), but apart from indefinite and insubstantial remains of a 'stone- walled structure', the summit area is clear of stone as is ditch. It would appear to be a ringwork of possibly medieval, or earlier, date.
Revised at 1:10,000 scale. Visited by OS (JB) 4 September 1978
Sources/Archives (2)
- --- SHG1531 Text/Publication/Article: Graham, A. 1949. 'Some observations on the brochs', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 81 1946-7, p.48-99. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 48-99. 96.
- --- 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. . No.185.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NC 6711 5872 (70m by 70m) (2 map features) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NC65NE |
| Geographical Area | SUTHERLAND |
| Civil Parish | FARR |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Investigations/Events (0)
External Links (2)
- http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM2134 (Online designation description (Historic Environment Scotland))
- https://canmore.org.uk/site/5739 (View RCAHMS Canmore entry for this site)
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