Monument record MHG1007 - Possible Cairn, Hill of Shebster

Summary

Site of possible late neolithic-bronze age cairn.

Location

Grid reference Centred ND 0111 6407 (14m by 14m) (Buffered by site type)
Map sheet ND06SW
Old County CAITHNESS
Civil Parish REAY
Geographical Area CAITHNESS

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

On moderately steep S-facing slope of the Hill of Shebster, is a turf and bracken-covered enclosure, measuring internally 16m N-S by 14.5m transversely, which has been scooped 0.7m deep out of the slope in NE. Elsewhere it is bounded by a bank spread from 2-2.5m and up to 0.6m high. The interior follows natural slope although slight levelling may have occurred on lower (SW) side. A narrow gap in SW may be an entrance. In centre of enclosure there is a circular stony mound about 7m in diameter and 0.6m high. The date and purpose of the enclosure and stony mound are unknown, but it has close affinities with disc barrows/cairns in Orkney (e.g. HY20NE 2 - Hill of Ireland) and Wester Ross (e.g. NG82NE 14 - Auchtertyre). Its close proximity to other cairns on the same hill slope (ND06SW 7) enhances this classification.
An early modern field baulk overlies the E tangent of the enclosure and extends S.
Surveyed at 1:10,000. Visited by OS (J B) 6 October 1981.

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Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

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Record last edited

Jan 28 2008 12:00AM

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