Monument record MHG638 - Stone Circle, Forse

The remains of a stone circle as described by the RCAHMS, and Thom, Thom and Burl.
Revised at 1:10,000. Visited by OS (J M) 22 March 1983.

A badly damaged, large stone circle, comparable with Latheronwheel Burn (ND13NE 3) and Aulton Broubster (ND 05NW 2), having a diameter of about 48m. Only half of the circle is visible.
A Thom , A S Thom and A Burl 1980.

(ND 2077 3630) Stones (NAT) OS 1:10,000 map, (1976)

These standing stones, now leaning, as described by RCAHMS. Their lack of weathering and their position in rough marshy ground below a rocky scarp suggest that they are not antiquities, although their true purpose cannot be ascertained.
Visited by OS (N K B) 11 May 1967.

Standing Stones (NR) OS 6" map, (1959)

Three standing stones, and base of a fourth, measuring from 3ft 6ins to 4ft 9ins high, 2ft 7ins to 3ft in width and with an average thickness of 1ft 1in. They are rectangular slabs placed at irregular intervals of 18ft 9ins, 25ft, and 53ft from each other and seemingly disturbed from their original positions. It is doubtful if they formed part of a circle.
RCAHMS 1911.

An archaeological desk-based assessment and walk-over survey were carried out by C Dagg of the area of proposed forestry at Lower Rumster, Forse, Caithness in 2001. As a greater part of the proposed planting area was deep peat and bog it was proposed that planting would only cover areas without too deep a cover of peat or bog and the archaeological survey concentrated on those areas. Only two definitely standing stones were located during the survey although the possible base of a third was also seen. Measurements of the stones were taken. <7>