Monument record MHG2220 - South Yarrows South Chambered Cairn

Summary

An Orkney-Cromarty type long horned cairn with a Camster- type chamber and a short passage in the south end.

Location

Grid reference Centred ND 3046 4318 (125m by 59m)
Map sheet ND34SW
Old County CAITHNESS
Civil Parish WICK
Geographical Area CAITHNESS

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

Long Cairn (NR) OS 1:10,000 map, (1976)

An Orkney-Cromarty type long horned cairn with a Camster- type chamber at E end and a short passage in S side which may have ended in subsidiary chamber described by Tress Barry in 1900. The cairn was also excavated by Anderson in 1865.
Measures 240ft in length and varies in width from 36-66ft and in height from 5-12ft. E end has been altered by construction of modern walling outside entrance and by rebuilding of walls and roof of passage and outer compartment of the chamber.
A S Henshall 1963. <1>

As described and planned by Miss Henshall.
Surveyed at 1:2500. Visited by OS (N K B) 2 May 1967.

This cairn has a distinct 'head and tail' profile and a very short passage which indicate that it originated as a round, chambered cairn too small to effect the plan of the subsequent long cairn, which is probably relatively late in date.
A S Henshall 1972. <2>

Photographs taken in 1987, see photographic library.
J Aitken : 13/03/02.

Sources/Archives (22)

  • --- Text/Publication/Article: Anderson, J. 1868. 'On the chambered cairns of Caithness, with results of recent explorations', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 6 1864-6, p.442-51. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 442-51. 445-7.
  • --- 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. 482.
  • --- Text/Publication/Volume: Close-Brooks, J. 1986. Exploring Scotland's Heritage: The Highlands. 168-9, No. 97.
  • --- Text/Publication/Volume: Davidson, JL and Henshall, A S. 1991. The chambered cairns of Caithness: an inventory of the structures and their contents. 142-4, no. 55; plan.
  • --- Image: Puls, A. 2012. South Yarrows Cairn - Collapsed Entrance. Highland Council Planning & Development Service.
  • --- 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. . 171-3, No. 543.
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): 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. 292-5, CAT 55; plan.
  • <2> Text/Publication/Monograph: Henshall, A S. 1972. The chambered tombs of Scotland, Volume 2. 2. Paper (Original). 220, 239, CAT 55.

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Protected Status/Designation

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Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Oct 10 2013 12:47PM

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