Monument record MHG9893 - Cist & Burial, Ulbster

NC91NE 41 9614 1867.

NC 962 186 (McLellan 1964). A presumed BA burial and part of a cist were found September 1964 by Mr Bob Gordon of Helmsdale, a roadman during road improvements (Information from 'The Nortern Times', September 1964, cutting held in NMAS). Only when the soil was being tipped out of the scoop of the mechanical digger were the cist slabs and bones discovered (McLellan 1964). The bones were examined by Dr R J Buxton, an amateur archaeologist, Durness, and taken to the County Road Office at Brora (Information from 'The Nortern Times', September 1964) In January 1969 a further cist was unearthed at Torrish at NC 963 187. It measured 2'3" by 1'7" and 21" high, and was constructed of "dry-stane dyke" with a large slab as a capstone. The cist contained fragmented bones which were examined by Dr M M Simpson, and a sample sent to Professor Lockhart, Museum of Anthropology, University of Aberdeen.
J McLellan 1964; Information contained in letter from Dr M M
Simpson to Prof R D Lockhart.

The precise find-spot of the cists, which were found "within a few feet of each other" at NC 9614 1867, was pointed out on the ground by Mr Ross (Angus Ross, Gamekeeper, Torrish, Kildonan) who was present at both discoveries. He states that the cists were found "about 7' down" in a natural gravel knoll with no covering cairn. The knoll is now levelled and no trace of either cist remains. Mr Ross can recall seeing no grave goods.
Visited by OS (N K B) 19 October 1976.

McLellan, J, 1964, 'Torrish, Kildonan', Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 1964, p.50-1, 50-1 (Text/Publication/Article). SHG1760.