Monument record MHG1809 - Camster Long Chambered Cairn

Summary

An Orkney-Cromarty type long chambered cairn. One of the group of three cairns known as 'The Grey Cairns of Camster.'

Location

Grid reference Centred ND 2601 4420 (84m by 99m)
Map sheet ND24SE
Old County CAITHNESS
Civil Parish WICK
Geographical Area CAITHNESS

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Full Description

ND24SE 1 2601 4420.

An Orkney-Cromarty type, long, horned cairn, 195' NE-SW with two lateral, tripartite, chambers, which give name to their type. One of the group of three cairns known as 'The Grey Cairns of Camster.' (See also ND24SE 16 & 17)
Excavation by Anderson and Shearer in 1886 established that the cairn was bounded by a 6' high double-faced wall, while further excavation by Corcoran in 1971 and Masters in 1978-80 proved that is chambers belonged to two chambered round cairns, each encircled by a wall, which had been incorporated in the long cairn. (cf Mid Gleniorn 1: NX16SE 14). Cairn was restored after excavation.
Surveyed at 1:10,000.
A S Henshall 1963; Name Book 1872; Current Archaeology 1971; J Anderson 1886; RCAHMS 1911; L J Masters 1978 and 1980. <1>-<7>

East Caithness Local Plan, May 1987: P31/2.52. Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites.
POLICY - In considering development proposals, the Council will safeguard Scheduled Ancient Monuments and Important Archaeological Sites insofar as this is compatible with their aim of achieving a sound employment base for the local population.
J Aitken : 22/05/01.

Both cairns have been reconstructed to allow public access, duck boards to sites from road. Grazing regime immediately around the two allows them to predominate in the landscape. <8>

Sources/Archives (21)

  • --- Text/Publication/Article: Anderson, J. 1869. 'On the horned cairns of Caithness', Mem Anthrop Soc London Vol. 3 1867-9, p.266-73. Mem Anthrop Soc London. 266-73. 221-25.
  • --- Text/Publication/Article: Anderson, J. 1866-68. 'On the horned cairns of Caithness, their structural arrangement, contents of chambers, &c.', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 7 1866-8, p.480-512. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 480-512. 294, 485-7, 498.
  • --- Text/Publication/Volume: Close-Brooks, J. 1986. Exploring Scotland's Heritage: The Highlands. 164-5, No. 93.
  • --- Text/Publication/Volume: Davidson, JL and Henshall, A S. 1991. The chambered cairns of Caithness: an inventory of the structures and their contents. 96-102, no. 12; plan.
  • --- Text/Publication/Volume: Feachem, R W. 1963. A Guide to Prehistoric Scotland. 1st. 43.
  • --- Image/Photograph(s)/Aerial Photograph: B/W Negative. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
  • --- Text/Publication/Article: Cruden, S. 1967. 'Camster Long Cairn, Caithness', Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 1967, p.56. Discovery and Excavation in Scotland. 56. 56.
  • --- Image/Photograph(s)/Aerial Photograph: B/W Negative. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s)/Aerial Photograph: B/W Negative. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
  • <1> Text/Publication/Monograph: Henshall, A S. 1963. The chambered tombs of Scotland, Volume 1. 262-3, 265, CAT 12; plan, fig. 39.
  • <2> Text/Publication/Monograph: Ordnance Survey. Object Name Books of the Ordnance Survey. 13. Book No. 13, 234.
  • <3> Text/Publication/Article: Current Archaeology. 1971-2. Round up: excavations 1971. 132. 132.
  • <4> Text/Publication/Volume: Anderson, J. 1886. Scotland in pagan times: the bronze and stone ages: the Rhind lectures in archaeology for 1882. Vol. 1, 130.
  • <5> Text/Report: RCAHMS. 1911. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Scotland. Second report and inventory of monuments and constructions in the county of Sutherland. . 184, No. 565.
  • <6> Text/Publication/Article: Masters, L J. 1978. Camster, Caithness District, Highland Region. ND 260 442, Long chamber cairn. 453-4, 459. 453-4, 459.
  • <7> Text/Publication/Article: Masters, L J. 1980. Camster (Wick p) Long chamber cairn. 17. 17.
  • <8> Verbal Communication: White, H. Comment by Hilary White, HC Archaeologist. 09/2002.

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Record last edited

Feb 20 2015 3:18PM

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