Monument record MHG1348 - Mound, Houstry Mains

Mound, Houstry. Dimensions: 47 x 24m. Oval mound 2m high with evidence of stone debris at the base within a drainage ditch that runs along its E side. Orientation SW-NE.
R J Mercer, NMRS MS/828/19, 1995

The extant mound is as described by previous field investigator; it is judged to be probably a cairn, but no diagnostic features are exposed. Some large stones protrude through turf and lie beside the fence adjacent to location of the "Pict's House" (Name Book 1872) Visited by OS (J B) 23 December 1981

(ND 1357 5803) Mound (NR) (site of)
(ND 1350 5801) Mound (NR) OS 6" map, (1970)

There is no trace of any feature at site shown above, but, in an otherwise almost flat arable field, there is an obviously artificial mound at ND 1350 5801, measuring 28m E-W by 20m transversely and about 2m high. It is impossible to ascertain original purpose of this mound without excavation.
Surveyed at 1:2500. Visited by OS (R D) 16 February 1965

Pict's House (NR) (Site of)
OS 6" map, Caithness, 1st ed., (1872)

Although denoted by a symbol on published plan above, ONB (1872) describes it as site of 'Tulloch' or remains of a Pict's House and lists name to be published on the plan as "Pict's House (Remains of)". Name Book 1872