Monument record MHG798 - Probable Cairn, Sithean Harraig

Summary

Site of probable late neolithic-bronze age burial cairn. Past interpretations favoured the identification of this feature as a broch.

Location

Grid reference Centred ND 0963 5686 (14m by 14m) (Buffered by site type)
Map sheet ND05NE
Old County CAITHNESS
Civil Parish HALKIRK
Geographical Area CAITHNESS

Map

Find a placename, postcode or grid reference

Map layers

Base layers

Info

Record list

Tools

Type and Period (2)

Full Description

Still visible as earthwork from road - HAW 7/2003

'Broch'/cairn, 'Suthean Harraig'. Diameter: 25m. Circular heather-covered mound with a flat top, diameter 8m. There is no evidence of a kerb or other structural traces.
R J Mercer, NMRS MS/828/19, 1995

Sithean Harraig as described by previous OS field surveyor is confirmed as a cairn rather than a broch. It occupies a prominent yet non-defensive position on a ridge, and retains classic bowl-shape, though now somewhat truncated. There is no trace of wall faces (of a broch) and no evidence of outer defences.
Visited by OS (N K B) 16 September 1981

Sithean Harraig (NAT) Cairn (NR) OS 6"map, (1963)

A flat-topped, mutilated mound of turf-covered stones. About 22m diameter and 2.5m high; top of mound is about 9m in diameter. A small excavation on top reveals a mass of stone, and nearby are two small stones set on edge. It is possible that this is a cairn rather than a broch.
Visited by OS (W D J) 9 April 1962.

Broch, Sithean Harraig: On E side of road to Thurso, about 1/2 mile N of Scotscalder station, are remains of broch known as 'Shean Harraig'. The mound covering ruin has been quarried into to some extent on S side. It has a diameter over all of about 76ft and an elevation of 8ft. No measureable part of the structure is exposed. RCAHMS 1911, visited 1910.

Sithean Harraig (NR) OS 6"map, Caithness, 2nd ed., (1907)

Sources/Archives (1)

  • --- 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. . 36, No. 120.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Record last edited

Jan 28 2008 12:00AM

Comments and Feedback

Do you have any questions or more information about this record? Please feel free to comment below with your name and email address. All comments are submitted to the Heritage Portal maintainers for moderation, and we aim to respond/publish as soon as possible. Comments, questions and answers that may be helpful to other users will be retained and displayed along with the name you supply. The email address you supply will never be displayed or shared.