Monument record MHG2151 - Broch, Ness
Summary
No summary available.
Location
| Grid reference | Centred ND 3813 6665 (160m by 160m) (Buffered by site type) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | ND36NE |
| Old County | CAITHNESS |
| Civil Parish | CANISBAY |
| Geographical Area | CAITHNESS |
Map
Type and Period (3)
Full Description
Broch (NR) OS 1:10,000 map, (1975)
Ness Broch (Anderson 1901), remains of a 2nd to 3rd century (Young 1964) broch situated at landward end of a promontory which is cut off at neck by a strong wall. Accompanying settlement lies both inside and outside wall.
The broch, which was excavated by Sir Francis Tress Barry between 1890 and 1901, and re-excavated by MacKie in 1972, has had a diameter of 22ft within a wall about 15ft thick, with 2 unchecked entrances, one, simple, facing SW or landward and other, with a guard chamber on S side, facing E or seaward. The broch wall has been so damaged that its faces are virtually untraceable, only secondary walling giving an approximate indication of its line. Bronze ingots, an ingot mould, and links of a bronze chain were found in a mural chamber to N of E entrance.
The wall across neck of promontory is 6ft high and has a depression in front of it in which there is a well, 9ft 6ins deep, but now filled in, roofed with slabs and having twelve steps leading down to it. The RCAHMS plan suggests that there is a continuation of wall on opposite side of ravine to N of peninsula, indicating that it has been cut by natural erosion.
Likewise, settlement lies on both sides of ravine. One of chambers on N side has a tank-like construction of slabs set into floor, and an annexe 9ft by 6ft, walls of which are 4ft high, with a base of slabs set on edge. There are also remains of less well preserved outbuildings on peninsula E of broch. The local name for site, 'byke Yards' (ONB 1873) may be an indication of the original shape of the outbuildings, since a 'dyke' was a beehive-shaped granary (Jamieson 1818). Finds from Sir Francis Tress Barry's excavation were donated to NMAS1908.
J Anderson 1901; PSAS 1908; RCAHMS 1911, visited 1910;
A Young 1964; Name Book 1873; J Jamieson 1818; E W MacKie 1972.
Ness Broch, generally as described and planned, is situated on a sheer promontory, its outer face having been destroyed by erosion on N and SE and being visible only at E entrance. Erosion has also reduced outer wall across promontory, and an outbuilding on landward side of broch. Only a slight depression marks position of well and there is no trace of the 'tank-like structure' in outer enclosure.
At ND 3810 6665, to W of broch, is a grass-covered stony mound, 0.8m high and 8m diameter which may be an original feature or spoil from excavation. A modern monument has been built seaward of broch.
Resurveyed at 1:2500. Visited by OS (N K B) 16 9 1965.
Broch of Ness has been identified with 'Lambaborg', mentioned at about 1143 in Orkneyinga Saga, where adventurer Sweyn Asleifsson stood siege (but see also ND36NE 7). A broad ditch cuts promontory immediately outside massively stone-revetted rampart.
R G Lamb 1980.
No change. Visited by OS (J B) 21 July 1982.
Sources/Archives (8)
- --- SHG1150 Text/Publication/Article: MacKie, E W. 1972. 'Ness, broch', Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 1972, p.17. Discovery and Excavation in Scotland. 17. 17.
- --- SHG1296 Text/Publication/Article: Anderson, J. 1901. 'Notices of nine Brochs along the Caithness coast from Keiss Bay to Skirza Head, excavated by Sir Francis Tress Barry, Bart., MP., of Keiss Castle, Caithness', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 35 1900-1, p.112-48. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 112-48. 143.
- --- SHG2364 Text/Publication/Volume: Jamieson, J. 1818. An etymological dictionary of the Scottish language: in which the words are explained in their different senses authorised by the names of thee writers by whom they are used ... and deduced from their originals. (unpaged).
- --- 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. . 13-14, No. 33; plan.
- --- SHG293 Text/Publication/Article: Young, A. 1964. 'Brochs and duns', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 95 1961-2, p.171-98. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 171-98. 184, No. 14.
- --- SHG310 Text/Publication/Monograph: Lamb, R G. 1980. Iron Age promontory forts in the Northern Isles. BAR British Series. 79. 20, 74, 96.
- --- SHG3350 Text/Publication/Volume: Name Book (County). Object Name Books of the Ordnance Survey. Book No. 2, 166.
- --- SHG624 Text/Publication/Article: PSAS. 1909. 'Donations to and purchases for the Museum and Library, with exhibits', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 43 1908-9, p.8-23, 73-5, 145-6, 176-9, 268-71, 291-5. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 8-23, 73-5, 145-6, 176-9,. 15-16.
Finds (3)
Protected Status/Designation
Related Monuments/Buildings (2)
Related Events/Activities (1)
Record last edited
May 13 2016 12:00AM
