DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2018 with funding from Duke University Libraries https://archive.org/details/thirdreportinven01roya THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON THE ANCIENT AND HISTORICAL MONUMENTS AND CONSTRUCTIONS OF SCOTLAND THIKD REPOKT AND INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS AND CONSTRUCTIONS IN THE COUNTY OF CAITHNESS LONDON: PUBLISHED BY HIS MAJESTY’S STATIONERY OFFICE. To be purchased, either directly or through any Bookseller, from OLIVER & BOYD, Tweeduale Court, Edinburgh; or WYMAN (fe SONS, Ltd., Fetter Lane, E.C. ; or E. PONSONBY, Ltd., 116 Grafton Street, Dublin. PRINTED BY NEILL (k CO,, Ltd., Edinburgh. 1911. Price Seven Shillings and Sixpence. / CONTENTS. PAGE Third Keport ....... iii List of Ancient and Historical Monuments and Con¬ structions IN THE County of Caithness which the Commissioners deem most ayortiiy of Preservation . vii List of Ground Plans and Illustrations . . . xiii List of Parishes . . . . . . xvi Bibliography ....... xvi Introduction to Inventory of Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions in the County of Caithness ....... xix Table showing the Condition and Dimensions, where ASCERTAINABLE, OF BrOCHS IN THE CoUNTY OF CAITH¬ NESS ....... xlviii Table showing the Character and Distribution of Cairns and their Chambers in the County of Caith¬ ness ....... liii Inventory ....... l Index ........ 195 Map of the County of Caithness, indicating the Position OF Monuments, etc., by Numbers referable to the Inventory . . . .at end / THIRD REPORT OF THE ROYAL COxMMISSlON ON THE ANCIENT AND HISTORICAL MONUMENTS OF SCOTLAND To THE King’s Most Excellent Majesty. May it please your Majesty,— We, your Majesty’s Commissioners, appointed to make an Inventory of the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Construc¬ tions connected with or illustrative of the contemporary culture, civilisation, and conditions of life of the people in Scotland from the earliest times to the year 1707, and to specify those which seem most worthy of preservation, humbly present to your Majesty this our third Report. During the summer and autumn of 1910, Mr A. 0. Curie, Secretary to the Commission, undertook a survey and examination of the monuments and constructions in the county of Caithness, and has compiled an Inventory thereof, showing the situation and characteristics of each monument, with its bibliography, a reference to the Ordnance Survey sheet (6-inch scale) on which the object is noted, and the date on which it was visited. Illustrating the text are numerous photographs and ground-plans, and there has been added a map on which the positions of the various monuments and con¬ structions, or groups thereof, are indicated by numbers referable to the Inventory. An appendix to this Report contains a list of those monuments and constructions which, in the opinion of your Com¬ missioners, seem most worthy of preservation. These, as in former Reports, have been divided into two classes, viz.: (a) those which appear to be specially in need of protection, and (b) those worthy of preservation but not in imminent risk of demolition or decay. The Inventory, which contains a detailed and illustrated account of all the monuments, etc., has been published by the Stationery Office. The monuments and constructions of Caithness were found to be more numerous and important than was expected, and, though belonging mainly to prehistoric times, they include a number of castles characteristic of the various periods of Scottish castellated architecture from the fourteenth to the seventeenth century. The list of long cairns, the earliest monuments of prehistoric times, was Wt, 2393/81.—500.—10/11.—N. & Co., Ltd.-Gp. II. Sch. B. iv HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. considerably augmented, many of these being identified and examined for the first time, while of later cairns, chambered and otherwise, there were also found a number of fresh examples. In the year 1870 seventy nine brochs were enumerated within the county. The number still in existence, or of which the sites are recognisable and recorded, has now been increased to one hundred and forty-live as the result of the survey. ]\Iany of these, however, are reduced to little more than foundations, and most of them are contained in mounds entirely overgrown with vegetation. Throughout the county some twenty-four were found to have been excavated, and details of the excavations and a note of the relics recovered are contained in the Inventory. A new class of construction, a dwelling belonging to the Iron Age, circular or oblong in shape and megalithic in character, was discovered in the parish of Latheron—the remarkable feature in which is the gallery or corridor around the interior. Several new settings of parallel rows of stones have been found in various parts of the county. Every facility has been afforded by proprietors and tenants to inspect the monuments, and interest has everywhere been taken in the work of the Commission. Ministers of the Gospel and parish schoolmasters, as well as others occupying no official position in the county, have been of much assistance to your Commissioners in their labours. Your Commissioners are also indebted to the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland for kindly placing at their disposal a number of blocks and plates, and to Mr John Nicolson, Nybster, for several plans of brochs excavated by the late Sir Francis Tress Barry and not hitherto published. We desire also to acknowledge gratefully the help we have received from Dr Joseph Anderson, Assistant Secretary to the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, whose excep¬ tional knowledge of northern antiquities greatly facilitated our proceedings. The objectionable practice of utilising the cairns and other ancient monuments for a supply of road metal, though not so prevalent in Caithness as elsewhere, was brought to the notice of the Com¬ missioners in that county, and the condition of many of the brochs and cairns bears testimony to their spoliation in the past. We would draw attention to the destruction of many prehistoric monuments (some of them of great importance) in consequence of their having been excavated and then left exposed to the elements, and to the interference of thoughtless visitors. The numerous brochs through¬ out the county which have been excavated are in urgent need of attention, without which, in a few years’ time, they will be reduced to crumbling heaps of stone. Your Commissioners strongly deprecate interference with such structures unless under supervision of persons skilled ill archaeology. The attention of proprietors and their factors is invited to this matter, and also to the expediency of filling up any excavations that have been, or may be, undertaken, so soon as the structure has been carefully planned and illustrated. Throughout the year your Commissioners have had their attention drawn to the unsatisfactory condition of various ancient structures of historic interest in other parts of the country than that under their immediate I’eview. These they have, as far as possible, inspected. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. V and, where their condition appeared to be serious, they have made representations to the proprietors and the local bodies interested. The advice of your Commissioners has been sought in several instances in regard' to alterations contemplated on old buildings, and though such work does not actually fall within the scope of the Commission, we have felt it desirable in the public interest to render assistance in such cases in order to encourage effort for the proper preservation of the buildings in question. A survey of the monuments and constructions in Galloway is now being undertaken, and work is also being organised for the survey of ancient buildings in the towns, commencing with Edinburgh. In connection with the proposed memorial at Holyrood to the late King Edward, the Commissioners have expressed their sense of the great importance of preserving existing examples of Old Edinburgh architecture included in the scope of the scheme. An architect and an architectural draughtsman have been added to the staff, in order that the work of the Commission may be accelerated. We have pleasure in recording once more our sense of the valuable services rendered by our Secretary, Mr A. 0. Curie, W.S., who has conducted the survey of the county of Caithness (whereof the greater part is desolate moorland, involving prolonged physical exertion) with indefatigable zeal, besides transacting the clerical work of the Commission with thorough efficiency. HERBERT MAXWELL, Chairman. FRANCIS C. BUCHANAN. CHARLES J. GUTHRIE. G. BALDWIN BROWN. THOMAS H. BRYCE. W. T. OLDRIEVE. THOMAS ROSS. ALEX'b 0. CURLE, Secretary. Edinburgh, .July 1911 . LIST OF ANCIENT AND HISTORICAL MONUMENTS AND CONSTRUCTIONS IN THE COUNTY OF CAITHNESS WHICH THE COMMISSIONERS DEEM MOST WORTHY OF PRESERVATION. I.—MONUMENTS AND CONSTRUCTIONS SPPETALLY IN NEED OF PROTECTION. Ecclesiastical Structures. parish. St Mary’s Chapel, Lybster (No. 338) . St Peter’s Church, Thurso (No. 418) . Reay. Thurso. Castellated and Domestic Structures. Bucholie Castle (No. 32) . Canisbay. Forse Castle (No. 185) Latheron. Castle of Old Wick, or “ Old Man of (No. 495). Wick ’’ Wick. Girnigoe Castle and Castle Sinclair (No. 497) .’ Do. Keiss Castle (No. 498) Do. Brochs. “Hill of Works” (No. 3). Bower. Skirza Head (No. 35) Canisbay. Ousedale Burn (No. 204) . Latheron. Dunbeath (No. 215) Do. Kilmster (No. 507) .... Wick. “Norwall,” South Kilmster (No. 508) Do. V Yarrows (No, 509) . . • . Do. “ Wester,” or “ Castle Linglas,” Keiss (No. 513). Links Do. “Road Broch,” Keiss (No. 517) Do. Nybster (No. 518) .... Do. “Cairn of Elsay,” Staxigoe (No. 521) Do. Earth-House. Ham (No. 65) ..... Dunnet. Cairns. “Shean,” Stemster (No. 9) Bower. “Tori' Beag,” Brawlhin (No. 359) Reay. Warehouse Hill. Cairns of Warehouse (No. 552) Wick. Garrywhin (cairn with cist and stone rows. No. 558). Uo. HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. viii Cairns {coiithiited). PARISH. Broughwhin (cairn with cist and stone rows. No. 560). Wick. Canister (horned long cairn, No. 563) Do. Do. (No. 564). Do. Stone Circle. Guidebest (No. 279). ..... Latheron. Stone Rows. Dirlot (No. 165) ...... Hill o’ iMany Stanes, Mid Clyth (No. 292) Halkirk. Latheron. Tapper Dounieay (No. 397) Reay. Battle Moss, Loch of Yarrows (No. 570) . Wick. Broughwhin (No. 572) ..... Do. Canister (No. 573) . Do. Sculptured Stones. Sandside House (No. 406) .... Reay. Do. (No. 407) .... Do. Thurso Castle (No. 444) ..... Thurso. i\IlSCELLANEOUS. Bell-Tower, Latheron (No. 283) . . . Latheron. Staiidiiig-stoiies (setting of), Aclikinlocli (No. 293).Do. II.—MONUMENTS AND CONSTRUCTIONS DESERVING PROTEC¬ TION BUT NOT IN IMMINENT RISK OF DEMOLITION OR DECAY. Castellated and Domestic Structures. parish. Barrogill Castle (No. 31) ..... Canisbay. Braal Castle (No. 95) ..... Halkirk. Dunbeatli Castle (No. 187) .... Latheron. Old Dwelling House, Bank Street, Thurso (No. 425) ........ Thurso. Ackergill Tower (No. 494) .... Wick. Brocks. Halcro (No. 1) . . . . . . . Bower. Brabstermire (No. 37) ..... Canisbay. Hollandmey (supposed broch. No. 39) . . Do. Mybster (No. 96).Halkirk. Achies (No. 97) ...... Do. Do. (No. 98).Do. Spital(No. 100) ...... Do. Achlochan Moss (No. 102) .... Do. “ Cnoc Donn,” Achlochan Moss (No. 103) . Do. “ Cam na Mairg,” Westerdale (No. 105) . . Do. “Tulach Mor,” Tormsdale (No. 108) . . . Do. North Calder (No. 110) ..... Do. Framside (No. Ill) ...... Do. “ Shean Harraig,” Scotscalder (No. 113) . . Do. Upper Sour (No. 114) . . . . Do. “ Knockglass ” (No. 117) ..... Do INVENTOKY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS, ix Brochs (continued). parish. Camster (No. 189)' ...... Latheron Warehouse (No. 190) ..... Do. “ Green Hill,” Roster (No. 191) . . . Do. Ballachly, Stemster (No. 192) .... Do. Bruan (No. 193) ..... Do. Mid Clyth (No. 195) . . . . Do. Tiantulloch, Houstry (No. 196) . . . Do. Miuera, Newlands of Houstry (No. 197) . . Do. Occumster (No. 198) ..... Do. Acliavar (No. 199) ...... Do. “ Burg Langwell ” (No. 201) .... Do. “An Dun,” Allt an Duin, Berriedale (No. 203) . Do. Berriedale (No. 205) ..... Do. Upper Borgue (No. 206) ..... Do. “Burg Ruadh,” Berriedale Water (No. 207) . Do. Achow (No. 208) ...... Do. Smerral (No. 209) ...... Do. Latlieronwheel (No. 211) . . Do. Burn of Latlieronwheel (No. 212) . Do. Balantrath, Dunbeath Strath (No. 213) . Do. Achorn, Dunbeath (No. 214) . . . Do. Knockinnon (No. 216) . . . Do. Upper Latheron (No. 217) .... Do. “ Appnag Tulloch,” Forse (No. 218) . . Do. Kumster (No. 219) . . . . . Do. Golsary (No. 220) ...... Do. “Usshilly Tulloch,” Forse (No. 221) . . . Do. “ Greysteil Castle,” Loch Rangag (No. 222) . Do. Thurilistoft (No. 318) . . . . . Olrig. Murkle (No. 319) ...... Do. Castlehill, Castletown (No. 320) . . . Do. Sibmister (No. 321) . . . . . . Do. Olrig Glebe (supposed broch. No. 322) . . Do. Olrig House, (do.. No. 323) . . . Do. “Tulloch of Stemster,” Stemster (No. 344) . Reay Stemster Farm (No. 345) ..... Do Crosskirk (No. 347) ...... Do. “Green Tullochs,” Borrowston Mains (No. 348). Do. “Knock Urray,” Lower Dounreay (No. 349) . Do. “Achbuiligan Tulloch,” Upper Dounreay (No. 350) Do. Achunabust (No. 351) ..... Do. Achvarasdal Lodge (No. 353) .... Do. Scrabster (No. 429) ...... Thurso. Do. “Thing’s Va” (No. 432) ... Do. “ Brimside Tulloch,” Lythemore (No. 434) . Do. “Tulloch of Shalmstry,” Weydale (No. 437) . Do. Old Hall of Dunn (No. 461) .... Watten. Green Hill, Wester Watten (No. 464) . Do. “ Bail a’ chairn,” Acharole (No. 466) . . . Do. “ Cam a’ chladda,” Scouthal (No. 467) . . Do. Watten (No. 468) ...... Do. “ Grey Cairn,” Lynegar (No. 471) . . . Do. “ Gearsay Cairn ” (No. 472) .... Do. Spital (No. 474) . . . . , Do. Knockglass (No. 475) .... Do. X HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Brochs { continued ). Taimach (No. 500) ...... Thi'unister Little (No. 503) .... Henipriggs (No. 504) ..... Stenistev (No. 505) ...... “Cairn of Humster” (No. 506). Borrowston (No. 510) Hillhead, or “The Pap,” Broadhaveii (No. 520) Camster (No. 522) ...... Ulbster (No. 523) ...... Wateiiaii (No. 524) ...... Toftgun (No. 525) ...... Forts. “ King of Castle Hill,” Lyth (No. 4) . “ Buaile Oscar,” Ben Freiceadain (No. 354) Cnoc an Ratha, Shurrery (No. 355) . Holborn Head (No. 438) ..... Loch Watenan (No. 526) ..... Garrywhin (No. 528) ..... Galleried Dwellings. Morven (No. 249) ••.... Langwell (No. 250) ...... Braemore (No. 251) . Dail a’ chairn (No. 255) . . . . . “AVag Mor,” Dunbeath Strath (No. 256) . “The Wag,” Achnaclyth, do. (No. 257) Achnaclyth, do. (No. 258) “ Cor Tulloch,” Houstry (No. 262) Forse (No. 263) ...... Hut Circles. AVarehouse Hill (No. 225). . . . . Loch of Yarrows (No. 530) . . . . Hill of Yarrows (No. 533). . . . . Watenan (No. 538) ...... Earth-Houses. Langwell (No. 246) ...... Brae na h-Eaglais (No. 247) . . . . Cairns. Mill of Knockdee (No. 8) . “Sinclair’s Shean,” Stemster (long cairn. No. 10) “ Carney Hillock,” Moss of Tain (long cairn. No. Island of Stroma (No. 42) . . . . . “Earl’s Cairn,” Hollandmaik (No. 72) “Tulloch of Milton,” Halkirk (No. 129) Achanarras Hill (No. 130). . . . . Do. (No. 131). Do. (No. 132) .... Dorrery (No. 133) ...... Do. (No. 134). “ Tulach an t-Sionnaich,” Loch Calder (long cairn. No. 135). “ Tulach Buaile Assery,” do. (horned long cairn. No. 136) ..... “Torr Ban na Gruagaich,” do. (No. 137) PARISH. Wick. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Bower. Reay. Do. Thurso, AYick. Do. Latheron. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. AYick. Do. Do. Latheron. Do. Bower. Do. 12) Do. Canisbay. Dunnet. Halkirk. Do. Do. Do. Do. • Do. Do. Do. Do. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. xi Cairns { continued ). parish. Knockglass (long cairn, No. 138) . . . Halkirk. Westkeld (No. 139). ..... Do. Do. (No. 140) . ■. Do. Houstry (No. 265) ...... Latheron Langwell (No. 267) ...... Do. Do. (No. 268) . Do. Berriedale (supposed cairn, No. 269) . . Do. Allt ard Achaidh, Berriedale (No. 270) . . Do. Leodebest, “Cam Liath ” (hornedlong cairn, No. 273) . Do. Leodebest (No. 274) . . . . . . Do. Cnoc na Maranaich, Dunbeatli Strath (cairn and standing-stone. No. 276) . . . Do. “Trothanmas Hillock,” Netlierside (cairn with cist. No. 325) ...... Olrig. “ Ring Hillock,” Hill of Whitefield (No. 326) . Do. Lambsdale Leans, Loch Shurrery (No. 360) . Reay. Ben Freiceadain (No. 361) .... Do. Shurrery (No. 362) ...... Do. “ Shean Mor,” Brawlbin Moor (No. 364) . . Do. Brawlbin Moor (horned long cairn. No. 365) . Do. Hill of Shebster (No. 367) .... Do. Achiebraeskiall (No. 368) ..... Do. Cnoc Freiceadain, “Na Tri Shean” (horned long cairn. No. 370) . . . . . Do. Upper Dounreay (No. 372) . Do. Loch Calder (No. 373) . . . . Do. “Cnoc na h-Uiseig,” Lower Dounreay (No. 374) Do. Knock Stanger, Sandside (No. 375) . . . Do. Brawlbin (No. 376) . . . . . . Do. Borrowston Mains, “Green Tullochs” (No. 378) Do. Sordale Hill, “ Gallow Hill ” (horned long cairn. No. 439) ....... Thurso. Sordale Hill (No. 440) ..... Do. Sordale Hill (horned long cairn. No. 441) . Do. “ Oslie Cairn,” Lynegar (No. 478) . . Watten. “ Gallow Hillock,” Backlass (supposed long cairn. No. 482) . Do. Lynegar (supposed cairn. No. 479) . . . Do. Loch of Yarrows (No. 542) .... Wick. Stone Circle. Achanarras Hill (No. 141) . . . Halkirk. Standing Stones. “ Stone Lud ” (No. 13) ..... Bower. Hill of Rangag (No. 284) ..... Latheron. Do. (No. 285) ..... Do. Latheron (No. 288) ...... Do. Borgue (No. 290) ...... Do. Houstry School (No. 291) .... Do. Shurrery (No. 398) . . . . . . Reay. Upper Dounreay (No. 399) .... Do. Do. (No 400) .... Do. Broubster (No. 401) . . . . . . Do. Do. (No. 402) .Do. HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. xii Stan DIN g-Ston Es {co7i tinned ). PARISH. Gansclet (No. 5G6) ...... Wick. Loch of Yarrows (No. 567) .... Do. Ulbster School (No. 675) ..... Sepulchral Monument. Do. “ Groat Stone,” Canisbay Church (No. 25) Sculptured Crosses. Canisbay. Skinnet (No. 92) ...... Halkirk. Lybster (No. 297) ...... Latheron. Reay Clmrch (No. 339) ..... Reay. Grave-yard, Mid Clyth (No. 295) Latheron. Roadside Farm, do. (No. 296) Miscellaneous. Do. Standing-stones (setting of), Broubster (No. 163) Mound, “Tulach Locliain Bhraiseil,” Westerdale Halkirk. (No. 143). Do. “Tulach an Fhuarain,” do. Do. (No. 144). Mounds, “Tullochs of Assery,” Loch Calder (Nos. Do. 160 and 161). Do. Foot-mark, Port an eilein, Shurrery (No. 162) . Do. Construction, Shurrery (No. 390) Do. “Tota an Dranndain,” Torr a’Ba- Reay. thaich, Shurrery (No. 391) Do. Do. Shurrery (No. 392) Do. LIST OF GROUND PLANS AND ILLUSTRATIONS. INTRODUCTION. I. —ILLUSTRATIONS IN TEXT. Parish. Figure. Name. Page. Olrig . A Bowl-shaped brooch from Castlehill, Castleton xxxiii Wick . B Bone weaving-comb from Broch of Kettle- xxxiii burn C Bronze tweezers from Broch of Kettleburn xxxiv D Rubbing - stones, querns, etc., from the xxxiv “Road Broch,” Keiss Bower . . E Bronze pin from Broch of Bowermadden xxxv Wick . . F Sandstone disc from the “Road Broch,” XXXV G Keiss Polished hammer of grey granite from the xli Ormiegill Cairn H Arrow-head of Hint from the Ormiegill Cairn xli I Leaf-shaped arrow-head of Hint from the xli “ Cairn of Get ” II.—PLATES. Parish. Plate. Name. Facing Page. A The Broch of Mousa, Island of Mousa, XXV Shetland Wick . B Painted pebbles from the Keiss Brochs xxxv INVENTORY. L—GROUND PLANS, AND ILLUSTRATIONS IN TEXT. Parish. Figure. Name. , Inventory. Bower . I Broch, “Hill of Works”; ground-plan 2 Canisbay 2 Canisbay Church, previous to the last alteration 23 3 Barrogill Castle : ground plan (facing p. 10) 31 4 Bucholie Castle: ground-plan 32 5 Broch, Ness: do. 33 6 Do. Freswick Links : ground-plan 34 Dunnet . 7 Earth house, Ham : do. 65 Halkirk . . 8 Celtic cross, Skinnet 93 9 Stone circle, Achanarras Hill: ground plan 141 10 Standing - stones (setting of), Broubster : ground plan 163 11 Stone rows, Dirlot: ground plan (facing p. 46) 165 XIV HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish. Latheron Reay Thurso . Watten . Wick Figukr. Name. Inventory. 12 Broch, Ousedale Burn : ground plan 204 13 Galleried dwelling, Langwell: ground plan 250 (facing p. 68) 14 Stone circle, Guidebest: ground plan 279 15 Cross slab. Mid Clytb Grave-yard 295 16 Do, Roadside Farm, Mid Clytb 296 17 Sculptured stone, Lybster 297 18 St Mary’s Chapel, Lybster, Reay: ground 338 plan 19 Fort, Cnoc an Ratha, Sburrery : ground plan 355 20 Hut circle, Brawlbin do. 357 21 Stone rows. Upper Dounreay: do. 397 (facing p. 107) 22 St Peter’s Church, Thurso : ground plan 418 23 Do. do.: interior looking S. 418 24 Do. do. S. window from 418 the exterior 25 Old House, Bank Street, Thurso 425 26 Do. do. do. : ground plan 425 27 Carved mantel-piece in old blouse. Bank 425 Street, Thurso 28 Carved mantel-piece in old House, Davidson’s 427 Entry, Thurso 29 Cross (rune-inscribed), found near St Peter’s 446 Church, Thurso 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 Broch, “Bail a’ Chairn,” Acharole: ground 466 plan Do. Coghill (Cogle): ground plan 469 Girnigoe Castle: do. 497 Do. ground plan (facing p. 140) 497 Keiss Castle: do. 498 Broch, Kilmster: do. 507 Do. “ ISTorwall Broch ” : ground plan 508 Do. Yarrows: do. 509 Do. “ Wester Broch ”: do. 513 Do. “ Keiss Broch ” : do. 515 Do. “Broch at the White Gate,” Keiss: 516 ground plan Do. “ Road Broch,” Keiss : ground plan 517 Do. Nybster: do. 518 Do. Hillhead: do. 520 Do. “Cairn of Elsay,” Staxigoe: ground 521 plan Hut circle (supposed) and cists, Watenan : 538 ground plan Cairn (horned, long). Yarrows : ground plan 543 Do. ((^o-) Oo.: do. 544 Do. (horned, round), Ormiegill: do. 556 Do. (do.) “Cairn of Get,” 559 Garry whin : ground plan Do. “ Cairn Hanach ” or “ Kenny’s Cairn,” 562 Warehouse Hill: ground plan Do. (horned, long). Canister : ground jilan 563 INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. XV II.—PLATES. Parish. Plate. Name. Facini Page, Bower I. “ Stone Lud,” Bower 5 II. Dove-cot, Stemster House 5 Canisbay III. The “ Groat ” Stone, Canisbay Cliurch 8 IV. Barrogill Castle 9 V. Bucholie Castle II Yl. Sgarbach, Auckingill 18 VII. Burial vault and dove-cot, Island of Stroma 18 VIII. Castle Mestag : showing situation 21 IX. Do. 21 Duniiet X. Dunnet Church 22 XI. “ Earl’s Cairn,” Hollandmaik 22 Halkirk XII. Window-recess in Braal Castle 31 XITI. Broch, Achies 31 XIV. Dove-cot, Dale House 41 XV. “ Clach na Cii^lich,” Thulachan 41 Latheron . XVI Forse Castle 49 XVII. Dunbeath Castle 49 XVIII. Broch, Ousedale Burn; entrance from interior 55 XIX. Galleried dwelling, Wagmore Bigg 67 XX. Do. Langwell: previous to excavation 67 XXL Do. “The Wag,” Achnaclyth 70 XXII. Do. “Cor Tulloch,” Houstry 70 XXIII. Cairn and standing-stone, Cnoc na Maranaich 76 XXIV. Dove-cot, Forse House 76 XXV. Bell-tower, Latheron 78 XXVI. Standing-stone, Hill of Rangag 78 XXVII. Do. do. 78 XXVIII. Do. Latheron 78 XXIX. Do. Borgue 78 XXX. Standing-stones (setting of), Achkinloch 80 Beay . . XXXI. Sculptured stone, Reay 91 XXXII. Sepulchral monument, Reay, from a rubbing 91 XXXIII. Cairn,- Shurrery 99 XXXIV. Do. “Shean Mor,” Brawlbin 100 XXXV. Do. (horned long), Cnoc Freiceadain 100 XXXVI. Sculptured stone, Sandside 109 XXXVII. Do. do. 109 XXXVIII. “ Clach Clais an Tuirc,” Achvarasdal Burn 110 XXXIX Market Cross, Reay 110 Thurso XL. Old house. Shore Street, Tliurso 117 XLI. Sculptured stone from Ulbster at Thurso Castle 122 Watten . XLII. Broch, “ Bail a’ Chairn,” Acharole 128 XVI HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish. Wick Plate. XLlll XLIV XLV, Name. Ackergill Tower Castle of Old Wick Lintel and armorial tablet from Hempriggs House, now at Ackergill Tower XLVI. Carved stones from Castle Sinclair, now at XLVir. XLAHll. XLIX. L. LT. LII. LIII. LIV. LV. LVI. LVII. LVIII. LIX. LX. LXI. Ackergill Tower Girnigoe Castle: Facing Page. 136 138 139 139 view from the S.W. 141 Girnigoe Castle and Castle Sinclair: view 142 from the E. Supporters of Arms from Castle Sinclair, 143 now at Ackergill Tower Keiss Castle 144 Broch, “Keiss Broch ”: blocked entrance 154 from outside Do. “Broch at the White Gate,” Keiss : 156 entrance passage from interior Do. “Road Broch,” Keiss: north stair in 157 wall Do. “Road Broch,” Keiss : interior show- 158 ing recess in wall and water tank in floor Gateway of Garry whin Fort 165 Hut circle, Ackergill 166 Entrance to Hut circle. Hill of Yarrows 167 Horned, long cairn, Camster 167 Standing-stones, Loch of Yarrows 185 Cup-marked stones, Xybster 185 Mausoleum, Ulbster 194 LIST OF PARISHES. Page of Page of Bower Canisbay Dunnet Halkirk Latheron Inventory. 1 . 7 . 21 . 28 . 48 j Olrig Reay : Thurso Watten ! Wick Inventory. . 86 . 89 . 110 . 126 . 135 BIBLIOGRAPHY. Ancient Church Dedications in Scotland, by J. M. Mackinlay, M.A. (Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1910). Ancient History of Caithness and the North, trans¬ lated from Torfaeus, with Notes, by the Rev. Alex. Pope, Minister of Reay, 1734-1782. Antiquities and Scenery of the North of Scotland, by the Rev. Charles Cordiner, Banff (London: 1780). Abbreviated Reference. Mackinlay’s Ancient Church Dedications. Pope’s Torfceus. Cordiner’s Antiquities. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY Archceologia ScoHca, or, Transactions of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Caithness Family History, by John Henderson, W.S. (Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1884). Calendar of the Laing Charters, a.d. 854-1837, belonging to the University of Edinburgh, edited by the Eev. John Anderson (Edinburgh : James Thin, 1899). The Castellated and Domestic Architecture of Scot¬ land, by David MacGibbon and Thomas Ross, Architects (Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1887- 1892). Chronicles of the Frasers (Wardlaw MS.), by Master James Fraser, edited by William Mackay —Scottish History Society—(Edinburgh : T. A A. Constable, 1905). The County of Caithness, edited by John Horne (Wick : W. Rae, 1907). A Description of Orkney, Zetland, and Caithness, by the Rev. John Brand. Tlie Earldom of Sutherland, A Genealogical History of, to 1651, by Sir Robert Gordon, Bart. The Early Christian Monuments of Scotland, by J. Romilly Allen and Joseph Anderson, LL. I ). (Edinburgh: Neill A Co., Ltd., 1903). 'I’he Ecclesiastical Architecture of Scotland, by David MacGibbon and Tbomas Ross, Architects (Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1896-97)- Ecclesiastical History of Caithness and Annals of Caithness Parishes, by Rev. D. Beaton (Wick : W. Rae, 1909). Ecclesiological Notes on some of the Islands of Scotland, etc., by T. S. Muir (Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1885). General View of the Agriculture of the County of Caithness, by Capt. John Henderson, 1812. The Gunns, by Thomas Sinclair, M.A. (Wick: W. Rae, 1890). Journals of Bishop Forbes, 1762 and 1770, edited and compiled by the Rev. J. B. Craven, Kirkwall, 1886. Lithgow’s Travels (Glasgow : Maclehose, 1906). Macfarlane’s Geographical Collections, edited by Sir Arthur Mitchell, K.C.B.—Scottish History Society —(Edinburgh : T. A A. Constable, 1906-1908). Memoirs of James, Marquis of Montrose, 1639- 1650, by George Wishart, D.D., edited by Canon IMurdoch and H. F. Morland Simpson (London : Longmans, 1893). l\Iemoirs read before the Anthropological Society of London—Anthrop. Society publication — (London: Triibner A Co.). Old Lore Miscellany of Orkney, Shetland, Caithness, and Sutherland—Viking Club. The Oliphants in Scotland, by Joseph Anderson, LL.D. (Edinburgh : 1879). OF CAITHNESS, xvii Abbreviated Reference. Archceologia Scotiea. Laing Charters. Cast, and Dorn. Arch. Horne’s Caithness. Brand’s Description of Orhney, etc. Gordon’s Earldom of Sutherland. Early Christ. Mon. Ercles. Arch. Eccles. /list. Caith. Muir’s A’ccfes'. Notes. Forbes’ Journals. Lithgow. Macfarlane’s Geog. Coll. Deeds of Montrose. Mem. Anthrop. Soc. Lond. Old Lore Miscel¬ lany, etc. b Xviii HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMIMISSION. Origines Parochiales Scotia}, edited by Cosmo Innes —liannatyne Club—(Edinburgb : 1850-1855). The Orkneyinga Saga, translated from the Icelandic l)y Jiin A. Hjaltalin and Gilbert Goudie. Edited with notes and introduction by Joseph Anderson, LL.L). (Edinburgh : Edmonston & Douglas, 1873). The Peerage of Scotland, by Sir Robert Douglas, Bart., revised, corrected, and continued by John Philip Wood, 2nd ed. (Edinburgh: 1813). Prehistoric Remains of Caithness, by Samuel Laing and Thomas Huxley (London: Williams & Norgate, 1869). Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scot¬ land. Pegister of the Privy Council of Scotland Regidrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum. The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland. Registrum Secreti Sigilli Regnm. Scotorum. The Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland. Remarkable Ruins, etc. of North Britain, by the Rev. Charles Cordiner, Banff (London: 1795). Scoti Monasticon. The Ancient Church of Scotland, by Mackenzie E. C. Walcott, B. D. (Edinburgh : James Thin, 1874). Scotland in Early Christian Times, by Joseph Anderson, LL.D. (Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1881). Scotland in Pagan Times—The Bronze and Stone Ages, by Joseph Anderson, LL.D. (Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1886). Scotland in Pagan Times—The Iron Age, by Joseph Anderson, LL.D. (Edinburgh : David Douglas, 1883). The Scots Peerage, vol. ii., edited by Sir James Balfour Paul, Lord Lyon King of Arms (Edin¬ burgh : David Douglas, 1905). The Scottish Antiquary, or. Northern Notes and Queries. Sculptured Stones of Scotland, edited by John Stuart, LL.D.—Spalding Club—vol. i.,1856; vol.ii., 1867. Sketch of the Civil and Traditional History of Caithness, by James T. Calder (Wick : W. Rae, 2nd ed., 1887). Statistical Account of Scotland (1797) Statistical Account of Scotland, New (1845) . Tour in Scotland in 1769 (4th ed.) and 1772, by Thomas Pennant. Tours in Scotland in 1747, 1750, and 1760, by Bishop Pococke, edited by D. W. Kemp—Scottish History Society—(Edinburgh : T. & A. Constable, 1887). The Ulster Journal of Archaeology, vol. ii. (1854). Voyage Round Great Britain,by Wm.Daniell, A.R.A. (London: 1814-1825). Abbreviated Reference. Origines. Douglas Peerage. Antiquaries. Reg. Privy Council. Reg. Mag. Sig. Reg. Sec. Sig. Cordiner’s Ruins. The Ancient Church of Scotland (Walcott.) Anderson, Scot, in Eai'ly Christ. Times. Anderson, The Bronze and Stone Ages. Scottish Antiquary. Calder’s Caithness. Slat. Acct. New Stat. A cct. Suth. etc. Pennant’s Tour. Pococke’s Tours. Daniell’s Voyage. INTRODUCTION TO INVENTORY OF ANCIENT AND HISTORICAl, MONUMENTS AND CONSTRUCTIONS IN TIIH CIOUNTY (IF CAITHNESS. TAUT I. The County of Caithness occupies the extreme NP]. angle of Scotland, projecting as a great promontory into the ocean, a feature which earned for it from the Norsemen the name which, in a modified form, it bears to-day—the “Ness” or “Nose” of the Catti. Nature has rendered Caithness singularly inaccessible. High cliffs and shelving rocks for the most part create a formidable barrier on its coast line, while along its northern shore the racing tides and currents of the Pentland Firth must from all times have hindered navigation. The mountains of Scaraben and Morven on its land¬ ward bounds cut it off from the neighbouring county of Suther¬ land on the south, while on the west, save along the coast line, a lonely waste of uninhabitable moorland, now traversed by the railway, completes its isolation. From these circumstances intercourse with the outer world in early times must have been difficult and inter¬ mittent. The interior of the county, to the north of its southern mountain range, and eastward from where Ben Dorrery and Ben Freiceadain stand sentinel towards its western boundary, expands in a great plain or plateau, varied here and there with a gentle undulation, until it dips abruptly into the ocean on the north and east. One small island. Stroma, lying in the Pentland J'irth some two miles distant from the north coast, is included in the county. The surface is at this day singularly devoid of timber, except in the south where the hills and valleys afford protection from the almost incessant winds, or around the residences of the landed proprietors, where isolated patches of woodland have been sedulously reared. The fringe of the coast and the central part of the plain are fertile and highly cultivated, and there the sites of brochs so frequently adjacent to the farms indicate an occupation and probable tillage of the land for a lengthened period. Over the whole of the county, except where the somewhat boggy moorland has offered no attractions, there are numerous evidences of human settlement from early times, and a superstitious yet fortunate belief that disaster would befall XX HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMBIISSION. anyone who should interfere witli the mounds u hich cover these early remains has tended greatly towards their preservation. Though the distribution of the prehistoric remains throughout the habitable parts of the county is fairly regular, there are in certain regions considerable groups of monuments representative of former eras of culture. Sucb groups ai’C to be found around the lochs of Yarrows and AYarehouse, by the loch of Calder, on Shebster Hill, and in the lower reaches of the Langwell and Dunbeath Straths. Our chief source of knowledge regarding the earlier inhabitants is derived from sepulchral monuments and their contents, for little or no trace remains of the dwellings wherein they lived. Skulls and bones indicate the racial characteristics, while the grave goods, which by I'agan rites of burial accompanied the body to the tomb, disclose the state of culture, the condition of material existence in this life, and probable belief in a future state. The monuments of greatest antiquity in Caithness—the sepulchres of neolithic man — are the long cairns, of which some eighteen examples still remain. These are elongated constructions of stone varying in length up to about 250', narrow and low at one extremity, — where the breadth is usually from 30' to 40', and the height trifling—and from about two-thirds of their length increasing to a width of about 50' or 60' and a height of some 10'. As, however, no perfect example exists, these dimensions must only be regarded as approximate. At both extremities the typical cairn terminates with iV semicircular concavity formed by the projection of two low arms or horns. The researches of Dr Joseph Anderson in the long cairns situated beside the Loch of Yarrows, in 1865, disclosed the fact that these cairns, so far as their external aspect was concerned, were not mere structureless masses of piled stones, but that along the edge of each, and around the horns, there was a double wall of building retaining the mass of the cairn in position. Entering from the centre of the concavity at the higher end through a portal from 2' to 3' in height by 2' in width, may be found a passage lintelled over, some 15' to 20' in length, leading into a chamber of two or more compartments. Though the position of the entrance passage in the centre of the frontal semicircle seems the usual arrangement, its occurrence is no more universal than is the presence of a single chamber in the whole length of the cairn. The length and form of the chamber may vary, but that discovered in the long cairn of Yarrows (No. 543) will serve as a typical example. It measures 12' in length, and is divided into three compartments of varying width by divisional stones which do not reach to the roof, set at right angles to the walls, opposite to each other. Upright flagstones and horizontal building have both been employed in the formation of the walls of the chamber, and the roof has been closed in by slightly projecting each stone as the wall mounts upwards, com¬ mencing at a height of about 7' above the floor level until the span was so reduced that it could be covered with slabs. Such tombs appear to have been used for successive burials, access being gained by the passage as occasion arose, and inhumation and incineration were both practised. As far as evidence in Caithness goes, incinera¬ tion seems to have preceded inhumation, burnt bones being found in INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS xxi the deposit covering the Hoors of the cairns and unburnt remains above. Tools and weapons of stone or Hint were deposited with the remains; and round-bottomed vessels of hand-made pottery, semi- globular in form, close in textui-e and smooth on the surface, occasionally ornamented with impressions of a finger nail, as a rule accompanied the interments. The numerous bones of animals found in chambered cairns show that our neolithic ancestors had domestic animals of much the same species as our own, though differing, no doubt, greatly in appearance, viz., sheep or goats and oxen. They kept dogs for the chase, and they trapped or hunted the red-deer. That these cairns are the tombs, not of the ordinary population, but of rulers and warriors renowned in their day, is a natural supposition, and the magnitude of such monuments is a measure of the esteem, if not of the affection, in which their occupants were held. The people who could erect these tombs had a power of combination and a subjection to discipline which distinguish them from mere savages; and the ability which enabled them to overcome the engineering difficulties to be en¬ countered in poising the massive lintels on the portal stones and in building and roofing these chambers, was of no mean order. The culture disclosed in these sepulchres is that of the neolithic period, and the skulls found within them are those of a long-headed people of medium height with clear-cut profiles and refined features. These chambered - cairn builders, according to the general consensus of opinion among anthropologists, belonged to a primitive stock which inhabited the Mediterranean basin and spread northward in neolithic times. Their general distribution in Europe is to be gathered from that of the dolmens and megalithic chambers. Such, then, are the earliest monuments of man still to be found in the county. Of the same type, and differing only in their form and size, are the round or short cairns with horns. These disclose the same features of chamber, passage of access, concave outline at either end formed by the projecting horns, and structural walls on the external face of the cairn, but they differ in their dimensions, the body of the cairn measuring from 40' to 60' in diameter. The skeletal remains and relics recovered from such of these cairns as have been excavated belong to the same race and culture as those from the previous class. A small number are to be found in Caithness, and also in the adjacent county of Sutherland, but they do not appear to be represented among the barrow's of England, nor are they at present known elsewhere in Scotland. Long cairns without a semi-circular concavity at either end. judging from the results of excavation in the analogous long barrows in England, likewise appear to belong to this period. It has, however, yet to be ascertained by the scientific excavation of the few remaining examples of these three varieties, whether any distinction is to be observed among their racial and cultural remains. Another form of cairn to be found in this county marks a later development. Still chambered and entered by a passage, it is no longer horned, and is either circular or elliptical in outline. In Caithness, the culture disclosed in such cairns of this class as have been excavated, is still neolithic in its general features, though in certain instances the relics and pottery suggest a relation with the xxii HlsroRlCAL monuments (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. subsequent culture, and they may be regarded as transitional. In all probability the older culture and sepulchral practices were not suddenly displaced, but were gradually modified by the presence and inlluence of new ideas and new knowledge. As the stone age drew to a close, and before the use of bronze became general, a change in the quality and decoration of the pottery found in association with luirials becomes apparent. This new type of pottery differs essentially from that of the chamhered cairns. It is still hand-made, but the vessels are tall, somewhat cylindrical in shape, fiat-bottomed, and decorated with chevrons, diapers, and encircling lines of impressed ornament in repeating zones. The vessels belonging to this type or class are normally associated with a form of sepulture which is radically different from that of the chambered cairns. The cairn may still remain, but the chamber within it, as well as the passage of access, has disappeared, and in place is a stone-built cist or coffin, formed of slabs and similarly covered. It is often of very small size, measuring interiorly some 3' in length by 2' in breadth and 14" to 18" in depth. Within the cist is usually a single interment, burnt or otherwise, and occasionally a vessel of pottery. In addition to the pottery the graves may still contain objects of Hint—arrow¬ heads and knives—also beads of jet, and, more rarely, objects of bronze. Nor is the cairn always present, for such cists are not infrequently discovered without any superincumbent monument, and occasionally they are found sunk in the top or somewhere within the limits of earlier cairns. Such a cist, found on the farm of Glengolly near Thurso, contained a typical urn of the class described which is preserved in the Thurso Museum. Another at Acharole, Watten, yielded besides an urn (now in the National Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh) a skeleton with characters quite distinct from those of the chambered-cairn skeletons. We are here on the track of a new immigrant race which entered Britain towards the end of the stone age, and buried their dead in short cists. They were a people of medium stature, and their distinguishing physical characteristic was a greater breadth of skull in proportion to its length than in the case of the chamber-cairn folk, while their faces were low and broad instead of high and narrow like the faces of their predecessors. They belonged to a primitive stock which occupied central Europe towards the end of the stone age, and it is not certain whether they had a knowledge of bronze when they first invaded Britain. It is certain, however, that they soon acquired bronze tools, and their fashion of sepulture prevailed through the age of bronze, while their culture modified, and ultimately displaced, that of the chambered cairns. Another class of monument associated with the sepulchral usages of the bronze age is the stone circle. Around certain cairns of the neolithic age have been noted upright stones set in their outline at irregular intervals. They resemble buttresses, and probably in the original state of the cairn performed a somewhat analogous office in preventing the spreading of the structure. Such stones may be seen in the sides of the cairn at the N. end of Loch Calder (No. 135). A similar arrangement of boulders in the outline of a number of round cairns, though not so frequent as in Sutherland, is still observable in this county (No. 72). A develop- INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS, xxiii ment from these by gradations, not found here, has been suggested for the circles of upright stones known to modern antiquaries as stone circles, and to the public in the past as druidical circles. For the druidical attribution, originally propounded by Stukeley in the end of the 17th century, there is not one grain of evidence, though the popular fallacy disseminated by the older maps and handbooks is difficult to eradicate. Stone circles are to be found over the greater part of Britain, and in form and size they present many variations. Their sepulchral character is established by the discovery, in the central area of many of them, of cists containing interments and pottery of the bronze age; but whether the circle had any religious significance, or what the nature of the religion was which these people of the bronze age affected, we cannot tell. In a similar category with these circles may be placed the stone rows, of less general distribution, but whereof the frequency in Caithness is remarkable. These monuments are to be found also in the County of Sutherland, as well as in Dartmoor, in Cornwall, Northumberland, and Wales. It may he assumed that they formerly existed in many districts where, in common with numerous other structures and monuments, they have been obliterated in the process of agriculture. In Scotland, though their association with interment is not invariable, they are in certain cases found radiating from small cairns containing burials of the bronze age (see No. 558). The numerous tall standing-stones to be met with throughout the county, singly or in pairs, may probably belong to this period, but their true significance does not yet appear to be established. Though the sepulchral monuments of the bronze period show fewer s’tructural features than those of the neolithic, it is connected with the bronze age that we first begin to find definite traces of the habitations of the people. Oval or circular banks of turf, or walls of stone, of low elevation and enclosing an area of some 20' to 30' diameter, to be met with on the drier portions of the moorland, are the remains of the dwellings of the early inhabitants, and are known as hut circles. In Scotland little research has _been made on these sites, but exploration among similar remains in Dartmoor and elsewhere in England has established their relationship to the bronze age, if not to late neolithic times. But while this is the case in the south, it must be borne in mind that in the remote parts of our island primitive types of structure must have lingered on, so that the connection of the hut circle with the iron age, and possibly with mediaeval times, is highly probable. It may be remarked that hut circles are not numerous in this county, and that where they do exist it is })rincipally in the south. The fashion of roofing these structures is still a matter of speculation, but in all probability branches must have formed a considerable part of the material employed. As presumably during the prehistoric period the same races occupied both this county and Sutherland, where hut circles are particularly in evidence, it may be that an absence of timber in Caithness, even at that early period, produced a modification in the style of their dwellings. Certain ruins, to be described here¬ after, are remarkable for the employment of stone flags of lai’ge size to form a low roof, a practice not observed outside the county boundary, but {U’obably adopted for the same reason. xxiv IIISTOKICAL MOXURIENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Certain of the hill forts in England have been definitely assigned to the age of bronze, but without excavation it would be rash to attribute the construction of the forts of Caithness to any particular period. The knowledge of iron is calculated to have reached Britain between the 6th and 4th centuries B.C., and its introduction is commonly attributed to Celtic tribes who are believed to have invaded tlie island about this time. The art of the early iron age, as revealed by the objects of use or ornament referrable to this epoch, has therefore been called “ Celtic ” or “ late Celtic ” art. During the iron age the fashion of sepulture was still further modified, and though the cairn burial to some extent survived, the cairns became low and unimportant, while more frequently the cists were placed in the earth with no monument superimposed. The perishable nature of iron has resulted in a difficulty of determining conclusively the burials of this period, and in Scotland, up to the present date, there are on record only two reports of excavations of burials from which iron grave goods have been recovered. The bones from these interments yielded no very definite anatomical data, and we have therefore no evidence of a special racial type which can be identified with the early iron age. The proof of the “ Celtic ” invasion must be sought in linguistic, archaeological, and other data. In the absence of graves which can be attributed to this period, it is to the abodes of the living rather than to the houses of the dead that we must turn for enlightenment. Over the whole region of the county, with the exception of the inaccessible and infertile tracts of moorland, are to be observed grass- covered hillocks of from 70' to 100' in diameter, and 10' to 12' in height. Locally they are called “ tullochs.” These mounds contain the ruins of brochs, structures of more than ordinary interest, and very numerous in Caithness where the remains of some one hundred and forty-five have been noted. From the not inconsiderable ruins of examples in other parts of Scotland, as well as from the excavated brochs within the county, we are enabled to form a fairly complete picture of one of these buildings in its original condition. In plan it was cylindrical, having a wall from 12'.to 15'in thickness, and built of dry masonry without any adhesive material, enclosing an interior court¬ yard open to the sky, with a diameter of .30' or thereby. The wall of the Ijroch rose to a height of from 45' to 50' and had occasionally a considerable batter on the exterior for the first 10' or 12'. No opening pierced the outer wall save the doorway on the ground level. Through this doorway, which was built up on each side to a height of about 5', with a width of some 3', and surmounted by a lintel, access to the interior was gained by a passage directly through the wall. The passage was roofed with large flags between which a sufficient space was sometimes left to assail from above any foe who had effected an entrance. Within the passage, some 6' or thereby, were checks for a door, and in some instances there were additional door checks nearer the inner extremity. Behind the first door checks entering from one side of the passage there was usually a guard chamber, fashioned in the thickness of the wall and measuring some 7' or 8' in length by 5' to 6' in width. Opening off the court were one or more small oval chambers, also in the thickness of the wall, while about a quarter-way round the periphery a passage some 3' to t B Ainient and Ilisforiail Moiiaiiuiitti — Uaithness. To face p. xxv. Plate A. —The Broch of Mousa, on the Island of IMonsa, Shetland. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. XXV 4' long led to the foot of a staircase which rose up to the right having a chamber invariably opposite its commencement. The stair as it spirally circled upwards gave access to a series of horizontal galleries, one above the other, the slab roof of one gallery forming the floor of that above. These galleries were lighted by vertical rows of rectangular openings forming small windows looking into the interior. In the interior, on the ground level, might be found a hearth placed within a square enclosure formed of upright slabs, and occasionally a well cut out of the rock and approachable by steps, with sometimes also an underground chamber or cellar of similar formation for the storage of grain and other provisions. Tank-like constructions, formed of flagstones set on edge in the floor, have been found in several cases, and a well-made drain passing out under the entrance passage was not an uncommon feature. No broch exists beyond the limits of Scotland; and though the range of the type is from Orkney and Shetland to Berwickshire, their numbers greatly predominate in the northern counties. When they were first built, or last inhabited, are alike unknown. Comparatively few have been excavated, but a great similarity in the relics re¬ covered characterises them all: querns, both rotary and of the saddle form, stone mortars and pounders in abundance, driuking-cups and lamps of steatite, long-handled combs for weaving on the loom and whorls for the spindle, shards of coarse pottery (for the most part undecorated) and occasionally fragments of terra sigillaia or other Roman ware. No object characteristic of neolithic culture has so far been found in a broch, nor any implement or weapon peculiar to the age of bronze. The type of pottery, the fashion and ornamentation of the combs and other relics, are those peculiar to the early iron age or late Celtic })eriod of art. Within tw'o of the Caithness brochs were found quartzite pebbles, painted or stained with spots similar to others found in the cave of Mas d’Azil in the Pyrenees, and referred there to the period of transition between the pakeolithic and neolithic cultures. The occurrence of these pebbles alone, whose purpose is unknown, is not sufficient to place the brochs in point of antiquity previous to the early iron age, to which the other relics are referable. The development of the broch is still obscure, but no more complete adaptation of the materials available to the end desired— the construction of an impregnable dwelling—could be devised. The people who dwelt in them had herds of cattle, and possibly flocks of sheep. They owned horses, and tilled the soil, on which they grew crops of oats and here. They were also competent judges of the quality of the land, as it is over the most fertile tracts that the ruins of the brochs mostly occur, while numerous instances of their occurrence adjacent to modern farm buildings throughout the county could be cited. The comparatively close proximity to each other in which they frequently stand, marks them out as the dwellings of families rather than of the heads or chiefs of larger social oruanisa- tions. Only one example remains in an approximately perfect state, viz., the broch of Mousa in Shetland (shown in Plate A) which still exists to a height of 45', and it alone appears on the pages of history —it being recorded in the Orkneyinga Saga, that about the year 1155, Erlend carried off the widow of iMaddad, Earl of Athol, and taking xxvi HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. up his residence in iMoseyarborg, held it against the attack of her son Harald, Earl of Orkney, while the Saga of Egil Skalagrimson tells of a temporary occupation of it about a.d. 900. Over what period the hrochs continued to be built we do not know, hut it is probable that many centuries intervened between the erection of the first and of the last. By the enterprise of the late Sir Francis Tress Barry, more have been excavated in Caithness than elsewhere, but much scientific exploration must he carried on over Scotland before their history and development is fully revealed. To the })eriod of the iron age also belong the underground chambers and galleries known as earth-houses. Probably owing to the shallow nature of the soil there are few of these in Caithness. Almost before the latest hrochs could have been in ruins we are on the borders of historic times. Before the close of the 5th century of our era a colony of Dalriadic Scots from Ireland, established themselves in Argyllshire, where they founded a kingdom, with their capital at Dunadd. They were Christians, and to them came Columba, with a band of twelve disciples, in the year 56.3, and settled in the island of Iona. Caithness was at this time a part of the kingdom of the Northern Piets, ruled over by Brude, whose capital was near the site of the modern town of Inverness. Thither St Columba journeyed within two years of his landing in the west, and after gaining access to the king by miraculous agency, as it is related, he converted him and his people to Christianity. Subsequent to this date, therefore, the missionaries of the Irish church began to visit this county, building churches, as they went, for their converts, and dedicating them to their saints. Though dedications are no sure guide to the dates of erection of churches, it may be presumed that those to saints purely Celtic, and not in the Eomish hagiology, are referable to the period of the Celtic church. To this period may have belonged tbe original church of Olrig, known as St Coomb’s, and the church of Dirlot, dedicated to St Columba ; tbe chapel near Strathmore, dedicated to St Ciaran; the church at Wick bearing the name of St Fergus; St Ninian’s chapel at Wick; the church of St Trostan at Westfield; and probably the chapel of St Tears, whose name is supposed to be a corruption; St Maddan’s at Freswick; and St Duthac’s in the Moss of Kilmster. The sculptured monuments bearing inscriptions in Ogham characters (a variety of Irish monumental script) and symbols of unknown meaning, are also to be associated with the Celtic church. Of these, seven have been found in Caithness, though only three now remain in the county. With the coming of the Norsemen the history of Caithness may be said to commence. From the end of the 8th century the Vikings infested the northern and western seas, spreading terror, and leaving desolation in their tracks. Twice within five years they destroyed the monastery of Iona, on the second visit slaying sixty-eight of its occupants: and in the year 852 they conquered Dublin, where Olaf the White established a kingdom. By the victory of Harald Harfager, or the Fair-Haired, in 872, which made him sole king of Norway, many of tbe wealthy landowners were dispossessed, and fled to Orkney, making these i.slands a convenient base from which they issued to jdundcr and vex the Norwegian kingdom. Harald collected INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. XXvii a powerful fleet, and subdued the northern and western isles, con¬ ferring on Eognvald, Earl of Moeri, the isles of Orkney and Shetland, with the title of Earl of Orkney. Eognvald made over his new possessions to his brother Sigurd; Sigurd, allying himself with Thorstein the Ked, son of Olaf the Wliite, king of Dublin, crossed to the mainland, and, subduing the Catti who occupied Caithness and Sutherland as far south as Ekkialsbakki, now identified as the Oykel, added their lands to the earldom. Throughout the period of the Norse Earldom, however, the dominion of the king of Scots in regard to Caithness was probably never relinquished, and it appears to have received early acknowledgment. The Norse udal system of tenure was productive of much ill-will between the joint holders of the earldom, and appeals for support to the king of Scots, from one or other of the rivals, occur from an early date. Sigurd the Stout, who fell at Clontarf in 1014, married a daughter of Malcolm II., and many other blood ties were doubtless formed between the two races. Duncan, the native maormor or chief, is mentioned in the Orhneyiivja Saga as marrying the daughter of Thorstein the Eed, about the year 875 A.U., and one Maddad is referred to as “appointed over Caithness by the king of Scots ” nearly 200 years later. To the end of the 10th century the Norsemen still retained their pagan faith, but there is no record to show that they interfered with the Celtic church in Caithness. In the year 995, Olaf Trygvison, who had established the Christian religion in Norwav, encountering Sigurd, Earl of Orkney, as he returned from a cruise in the western seas, forced him to accept the faith. Earl Sigurd, however, a convert by compulsion, retained a lingering affection for his old belief till his death in 1014. This year may thus be taken to mark the termina¬ tion of the pagan period of the Norse rule in Caithness. The date of the foundation of the bishopric is unknown, but it is assumed that Andrew, who received a grant of land from King David in 1153, was the first bishop. The see included Sutherland as well as Caithness, and the cathedral church was at Dornoch, where, as well as at Halkirk and Scrabster, the bishop had a residence. With the murder of Earl John in 1231, while taking refuge at Thurso, in the cellar of an inn which had been set on tire, there ended the line of the Norwegian earls who, for a period of 350 years, had ruled Orkney and Caithness. The tale of their rule, may be read in the graphic narrative of the Orlcncyinga Saga, believed to have been written in the 13th century by Hiarni Kolbeinson, Bishop of Orkney from 1188-1223 a.d. The Scandinavian influence on the topography and ethnology of the county has left its impress to a remarkable degree, though the absence of any peculiar system of tenure, or of customs of Scandi¬ navian origin, such as are to be found in the neighbouring islands, tends to show that the Norwegian occupation did not imply the extirpation or eviction of the older inhabitants. The Celtic influence still remains predominant in the west and southwest, while an imaginary line drawn from the north of the Forss AVater southwards to Latheron, roughly divides the areas of the Celtic and Scandinavian place-names. There are in Caithness no remains of churches of distinctly Norse type, though the chapel and hospital dedicated to St Magnus may xxviii lllSTOKICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTEANP) COMMISSION. originally have been of Norse construction. The oldest church, St Peter’s, or St IMary’s, at Lybster in Eeay, may be of as early a date as the .I2th century. A few relics of the Viking period have been found in the county. On the summit of the mound covering a broch near Castletown was found in 1786, beneath a Hat stone, a cist containing an unburnt burial, accompanied by two oval, bowl-shaped brooches of the type worn by women during the pagan period of the Norse invasions. Alung witli them were a bracelet of coarse jet and a bone pin 4" in length, all of which are now preserved in the National Museum of Antiquities in Edinburgh. In 1837 two similar brooches were found in a full length stone cist in a gravel hillock on the farm of Wester- seat, near Wick. Beside the Kirk o’ Tang were discovered seven penannular bracelets of silver, and near the ruined church of St Peter’s in Thurso, on the top of a cist containing an unburnt burial, a portion of a grave cross (No. 446),inscx’ibed in runic characters, which is preserved in the Thurso Museum. With the extinction of the line of the Norse earls, the earldom of Caithness, from which was now disjoined the County of Sutherland, passed to Malise, Earl of Strathei’n, and, after being held by various families, was finally settled, in 1455, on 'V\'’illiam Sinclair of Eosslyn, Lord High Chancellor of Scotland. Being so remote from the centre of the kingdom, the county has not been associated in any particular degree with the stirring events of Scottish history. The history of the Sinclair earls and their almost incessant feuds with the neighbouring earls of Sutherland; the quarrels of the leading families—Sinclairs and Sutherlands, Keiths, Oliphants, and Gunns, furnish the chief materials of its story. This may be read in Calder’s History of Caithness, the main authority for the greater part of which is Sir Eobert Gordon’s Earldom of Suther¬ land', while in a recent compilation. The County of Caithness, the various aspects of the county’s development are treated of at length. PAET 11. Ecclesiastical Structures. The early ecclesiastical structures in Caithness, though originally numerous, are now for the most part reduced to mere foundations. The styles of Gothic architecture do not seem to have penetrated into this remote county, though features of late date, such as the pointed windows in St Peter’s, Thurso, occur in one or two instances, and the greater number of the structures have been small chapels, rudely built of the native slate, without mortar, and unrelieved by architectural ornament or enrichment. The mere sites of chapels and churches number over thirty, and to these are to be added to complete the total the considerable ruins of St Mary’s at Lybster in Eeay parish, St Thomas’ at Skinnet, St Magnus’ at Spittal, St I’eter’s at Thurso, and St Trothan’s at Olrig, as well as the parish churches of Hunnet and Canisbay, both still in use. ’J'he most remarkable church, and that of earliest date, is St Mary’s at Lybster (No. 338). In its main features, although INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS, xxix chancelled, it bears a strong resemblance to some of the rude chapels to be found on the islands to the W. and N. of Scotland. The entrance doorway, now built up, is situated in the centre of the W. wall, and has jambs which incline upwards, while in its existing walls there is no sign of a window, though possibly in the E. gable of the chancel, now gone, a narrow slit may have existed as in the primitive chapels. The nave and chancel are divided by a solid wall pierced by a low doorway, similar to that which gave access to the nave. Though it may not he possible definitely to date this structure, it probably belongs to a period as remote as the 12th century, and is certainly one of the earliest chancelled churches on the mainland of Scotland. St Peter’s Church, Thurso (No. 418), appears in its present form to be the result of various alterations made to meet the requirements of different times, and probably the greater part of the building dates from the 16th or 17th century. Its plan discloses in the base of the tower a small, low-vaulted, apsidal cell, square on the outside, now unfortunately inaccessible. This cell has an early form quite un¬ related in style to either the nave or transepts of the church, and is possibly a relic of 12th century date. The church of St Thomas at Skinnet (No. 91) is a chancelled building, with no architectural features to indicate its precise period of erection, but it evidently occupies the site of a much older structure, as the finely carved, sculptured stone (No. 445), now in the Thurso Museum, was found built into its S. wall. The remains of a Celtic cross (No. 93) are still to be seen on a slab standing adjacent to the doorway. The churches of Dunnet and CanisbaV (Nos. 61 and 23), both on the north coast, are of Pre-Reformation date, possibly 14th century, and much resemble one another, each having a square tower in the centre of the west front, surmounted with a roof of the saddle-back type in line with the roof ridge of the church. Castellated and Domestic Structures. The castellated buildings of Caithness, of which there are any considerable remains existihg, range in date from the 14th to the 17th century, and furnish examples of the development of the castle throughout that period. Of any structures subsequent to the era of the brochs, such as might have been the halls of the Scandinavian earls or the castles of the Scottish maormors, and identifiable as such, there is not a trace. Nor are the great courtyard castles that express else¬ where in Scotland the prosperous reigns of Alexander II. and III. represented in this county. The small rectangular keeps, which came into vogue of necessity in the lean years beginning with the Wars of Independence, here commence the series. Such are the Castles of Old Wick (No. 495) and Forse (No. 185), occupying positions of great natural advantage on the necks of promontories whose precipitous flanks rise sheer from the ocean. A deep trench has been cut across each promontory, and from the seaward side of this rises the castle. Each is rudely built, and the thick walls are pierced by narrow windows few in number. The main doorway has been in the first floor reached by movable steps or by a ladder, and, as no stair exists in the thickness of the walls, ])robably « some equally primitive arrangement in the interior gave access to XXX HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. the upper iloor. So similar are these two castles in character and plan that it may safely be assumed that no long interval separates the ilates of tlieir erection. Both properties belonged in the 14th century to Itannald Clieyne, who died in 1350, and from him they passed by marriage into the hands of the Sutherlands. Similar in type, but less primitive, is the Castle of Braal (No. 95). In its massive walls are a staircase and apartments, while its window embrasures, furnished with stone seats, form in themselves small rooms. The earliest record of Braal Castle is 1373. The many inconveniences experienced by the occupants, of the small rectangular towers, with their scanty accommodation, led to a development of their plan by the addition of a wing projecting at right-angles to the main building, thus forming an L plan, and also by the erection of outbuildings against the inner wall of the barmkyn, or court. Though the L plan continued to be used as long as purely defensive castles were erected, the courtyard, with its surrounding buildings, is particularly characteristic of the period from 1400 to 1542. Of castles built between these dates in Caithness, of which there are now any substantial remains, we have Bucholie and Girnig’oe (Nos. 32 and 497), both with courtyards attached, and Ackergill Tower (No. 494), retaining the simple rectangular form. Of these Bucholie is probably the earliest. The keep is small and rude in its masonry, wlnle the passage leading through it to the courtyard beyond is characteristic of the 15th century. Girnigoe probably owes its origin to the first or second Sinclair, Earl of Caithness, and thus dates from the second half of the 15th century. It has originally been on an L plan, modified at a later date by the addition of a second wing. Like Bucholie, access is gained by a passage directly through the tower. Its complicated system of defence and singular situation must in early times have rendered it almost impregnable, and now distinguish it as one of the most remarkable castles in the North of Scotland. The erection of Castle Sinclair in its outer ward early in the 17th century must have added greatly to its importance. The Tower of Ackergill, which probably dates from the end of the 15th or beginning of the 16th century, though erected on the rectangular plan, is on such a scale that the inconveniences of the earlier structures of like form have been obviated. In its original state it was no doubt surrounded by a moat, now filled in. Of castles dating from the latter half of the 16th century there are Brims (No. 424), Dounreay (No. 343), Keiss (No. 498), and Barrogill (No. 31). 'The two former present no features of particular interest. Keiss stands on the edge of a cliff in a picturesque situation. In the treatment of the corlielling round the base of its turret it shows the modification of structural features to purely decorative detail, which came into vogue towards the end of the 16th century. The defensive character of the structure is less pronounced than in the earlier examples, and the more purely domestic aspect is coming into prominence. Barrogill, which is on a Z plan, shows a still further departure from the purely defensive type, and though the keep is still maintained, a large mansion with spacious rooms indicating an advanced degree of refinement has been added. This type of castle is peculiar to a period of about fifty years at the end of the 16th and commencement of the 17th century. One other castle remains INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS, xxxi to be specially noticed, viz. Dunbeath (No. 187). Though of late date, and, according to the statement of a former proprietor, dating from 1633, it undoubtedly occupies the site of an earlier building, a part of which it may possibly incorporate. Standing on a lofty promontory, round whose base the ocean surges, it is the most picturesque mansion in Caithness. With its pointed angle turrets it shows in a marked degree the French influence, which at the period of its erection affected the style of Scottish domestic archi¬ tecture. Though defensive considerations no longer control the plan, the details which they engendered continue to exist as purely decorative features. The castle has been altered to some extent on the exterior, but to no such degree as to forbid its being regarded as an admirable example of the Scottish domestic architecture of the first half of the 17th century. The town houses of Caithness of date previous to 1707, that are of any interest, are few. None in Wick fall to be noticed, and in Thurso there are but two, both dating from the end of the 17th century. The old town dwelling of the Murrays of Clairden (No. 425, fig. 25), at the end of Bank Street, has been an important edifice in its time and contains an interesting carved stone mantelpiece. The other old house, which is in Shore Street (No. 426, pi. XL.), bears the date 1686, and has a picturesque tower carrying the stair to the upper fiats, which projects right across the pavement of the street. Brocks. Though the number of brochs still remaining in the county reaches the considerable total of 145, their condition is such that a mere superficial examination adds but little to our existing knowledge. The native stone of which they have been built in most districts is the Caithness shale, which, after long exposure to the elements, has become disintegrated and resolved into a soil that now maintains a luxuriant sward effectively concealing the details of the structure beneath. Thus by far the greater number are only distinguishable as grass-covered hillocks, or slight elevations in the culti\'ated land. In the latter instances, numerous fragments of shaley stone scattered over the surface occasionally afford an indication of the character of the remains beneath and lead to their identification. But, though so little fresh knowledge is to be gleaned from super¬ ficial observation, many opportunities for enlightenment as to their constructive details have been afforded by excavations. Thanks mainly to the enterprise of the late Sir Francis Tress Barry, twenty- four of these ruins have been more or less completely cleared out, a larger number than in any other county, and the most important of the valuable relics which they have yielded are preserved in the National Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh. From very few of the unexcavated examples are measurable details of their structure procurable. There are, however, certain features connected with the sites they occupy worthy of notice. In the plain, which stretches over the greater part of the county, there were not available commanding situations such as existed, and were so largely taken advantage of, throughout the neighbouring county of Sutherland, and means had consequently to be adopted to xxxii HISTORICAL MOXUJIENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. make good the lack of natural advantages in position. In numerous instances where the site was on level ground this was effected either by excavating a ditch around it, and erecting a rampart or wall on the top of the scarp, or by building a formidable wall around the broch at some distance from its base. Examples of the former method are to be observed in the brochs of Kilmster (No. 507) and Camster (No. 522); while the latter finds its exposition in the “Road Broch” at Keiss (No. 517), the Keiss Broch (No. 515), and the broch at Upper Borgue (No. 206). Where existent, any low prominence seems to liave been selected, and, if necessary, added to, so as to form a hat-topped mound of such diameter as would afford room for the tower and leave a space of some 20' or thereby between the base of the structure and the edge of the mound. This arrangement was probably adopted to give greater stability to the broch on its artificial foundation, but it also furnished a base court into which stock might be driven, thus resembling the enclosures occasionally to be found in front of the Sutherland brochs. The average present height of these mounds is about 8'. Against the scarp in two instances—the broch at Stemster in Eeay parish (No. 344) and that at Sibmister in Olrig parish (No. 321), a revetment was observed, and it is probable that such a stone facing was general. The remains of a ^larapet wall or rampart are usually visible around the edge of the mound, while an encircling ditch, sometimes of con¬ siderable dimensions, completed the defences. Over the ditch passed a roadway on unexcavated ground, giving access to the enceinte. Good examples of this latter type are “ Cnoc Bonn ” (No. 103), “ Cam na Mairg” (No. 105), and “An Dun” (No. 203). Along the coast line situations have been selected adjacent to the cliffs, or, as in the case of castles of later date, on the landward ends of promontories fortified by a ditch across the neck. Such are the situations of the brochs of Crosskirk (No. 347) and Borrowston (No. 348) in Eeay parish, Ness (No. 33) and Skirza Head (No. 35) in Canisbay, and Nybster (No. 518) and “ Cairn of Elsay ” (No. 521) in Wick parish. On considering the principal features of the structures themselves we find that, besides the twenty-four excavated examples, the interior diameter is revealed in only other six; but though, as in Sutherland, this dimension averages about 30', the variation is much greater, ranging from 22' in the promontory brochs of Ness and Skirza Head to about 43' in the broch on the cliff at Borrowston. The existence of two stairs on opposite sides of the court in four of the excavated brochs— Acharole (No. 466) in Watten Parish, and Brounaban (No. 511), Keiss (No. 515), and the “Road Broch” (No. 517) in Wick parisli—is a structural feature not observed any¬ where in the neiglibouring county. In each of the three last mentioned there was evidence of a second entrance from the out¬ side at the foot of one of the stairs. A similar arrangement was also found in the Ness broch, but unconnected with a stair. Outer passages leading up to the broch entrance and furnished with door checks have been exposed in the brochs of Hillhead (No. 520), Kilmster, and Nybster, while occasionally the wall on either side of the entrance has been strengthened by additional building on the outer face, as at the “ Cairn of Elsay.” Outbuildings forming a network of irregularly shaped chambers have in several cases been exposed INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNE.SS. XXXlll around the excavated brochs, while their presence in numerous other instances is revealed by surface indications. In Sutherland such outbuildings appear to be exceptional. Around the broch of Yarrows (No. 509) the existence of food refuse, presumably from the broch, beneath the level of these structures, demonstrates their secondary nature. A water supply was provided by wells sunk in the interior court as at Keiss (No. 515), Ness (No. 33), and “ Hill of Works” (No. 3), or within the defences adjacent to the entrance as at Hillhead (No. 520); while to carry off surface water from the interior a drain was constructed, passing beneath the entrance passage. Such drains were observed in the brochs of Brounaban (No. 511), Nybster (No. 518), and others. The settings of slabs in the floor of the interior sometimes formed tanks or fireplaces, but the object of other arrangements formed by slabs on end or on edge and believed to be secondary is not equally apparent. In a number of instances human remains have been found on the tops of the mounds covering the ruins. The extended burial, and the orientation of the bodies, usually characteristic of these interments, indicate their relation to Christian times. The burial found above the ruins of the broch at Castletown (No. 320), with which were two oval bowl-shaped brooches of brass (one of which is here shown. Fig. a.—B owl-shaped Brooch from Castlehill, Castletown (4^ inches in length). fig. A.), belonged to the Norse pagan period, which, however, may be held to have terminated in the 11th century. Of the relics recovered, many are objects of stone such as might have been utilised in any age, but such as bear the impress of a distinctive culture are clearly characteristic of the early iron age Fig. B.—Bone Weaving Comb from the Broch of Kettleburn. period in Scotland. The long-handled bone weaving-combs (fig. B.) found in almost all brochs, and so frequently recovered from Romano- c XXXIV HISTORICAL IMONUjMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. British and late Celtic sites, the bronze tweezers (fig. C.) which came from the broch of Kettleburn (No. 588), the Roman pottery and glass Fi(i. C.—Bronze Tweezers from tlie Brocli of Kettleburn (4^ inches in length). Front and side views. from the Keiss brochs, and the occasional objects of iron, all bear out this conclusion. Included among the relics are querns both rotary and of the saddle type (fig. D.), whorls for the spindle, and round objects of stone probably weights for the loom, stone mortars and Fio. D.—Rubbing-stones, Querns, Stone Vessels, Pivot stone, etc., from the “ Road Broch,” Keiss. pounding stones, lamps and drinking cups of stone, two pins of bronze of similar type (the one from Bowermadden (fig. E.), the other from Nybster), each having a fixed annular head on a short, right-angled projection from the stalk, a ring and an armlet of bronze, an iron spearhead, which came from the broch of Dunbeath (No. 215), and a few fragments of iron knives which came from the broch of Yarrows. With regard to the last two items, it must be observed that neither the position nor depth at which the spearhead was found is noted, nor is it stated whether the fragments of knives came from the actual broch or the secondary structures around it. Specially noteworthy are a number of quartzite pebbles of ovoid shape, painted cf.' INVENTORY OF MONU^IENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. XXXV on their surfaces with spots in a blackish or brownish pigment (pi. B.), which came from the broch of “Wester” and the “Road Broch” at Keiss, and bear a close resemblance to others found in the cave of Mas d’Azil in the Pyrenees, ascribed in that case, to the transition Fig. E.—Bronze Pin from the Broch of Bowermadden. Front and side views (actual size). period between the palieolithic and neolithic cultures. Fragments of Roman pottery were found in three of the Ijrochs. One small piece of Ist-century Samian ware (Dragendorff, type 29), and a small portion of the rim, of a Roman glass vessel, came from the Everley broch (No. 36). The Nybster broch yielded a fragment of the same ware, but too much worn for exact identification; while from the “ Keiss broch ” there came two fragments of Samian ware bowls of 2nd-century type—one showing a figure of Venus (Dechelette, No. 173) —and also two pieces of white ware, covered with a black slip and decorated with a scroll ornament in white, of the same period. The Roman pottery found in the Keiss broch was not in the lowest level of occupation disclosed in the interior court. From the “ Road Broch ” at Keiss came a small sandstone disc (fig. F.) bearing on both Fig. F.—Obverse and Reverse of Sandstone Disc from the “ Road Broch,” Keiss (slightly enlarged). sides incised markings, unintelligible but suggestive of an attempted inscription. An object of unusual interest was the crown of a human skull found in the Hillhead broch, and which had been pierced near the centre with three holes forming roughly an equilateral triangle. A skull similarly pierced was found associated with late Celtic relics, liy Sir Henry Dryden, in his excavations at Hunsbury, Northamptonshire. XXXvi HISTORICAL iSIONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. The animal remains which the Caithness brochs have yielded include those of the reindeer, the true elk, and possibly the brown bear, also the great auk. Forts. The fortified enclosures of Caithness may be divided into three main classes according to their situations, viz.:— Hill forts. Promontory forts. Defensive enclosures on low ground and of small dimensions. In the first class four are included, viz.—“ Buaile Oscar ” on Ben Freiceadain (No. 354), and the fort on Cnoc an Ratha near Shurrery (No. 355), both in Keay parish; an unnoted fort to the S. of the Loch of Yarrows (No. 512), and the fort of Garrywhin (No. 528). All these are stone forts, surrounded for the most part by thick walls built of flat stones, following the outline of the eminences on which they are situated, and in structure resembling the walls of the similar forts in Sutherland. Within the fort of “ Buaile Oscar,” and occupying a conspicuous position, are the considerable remains of a chambered round cairn. The fort on Cnoc an Ratha, in the same district, shows in the interior the ruins of what appears to be a bee-hive hut, and is remarkable for the large hut circle placed against the exterior face of the wall to the right of the entrance, apparently a part of the original plan. The fort of Garrywhin is particularly noticeable for the details of its entrance, a feature no longer prominent in the others. The wall, which along the flanks measures some 6' in thickness, on either side of the entrance has been increased to about 12', where against its outer and inner faces there have been set large slabs or portal stones, three of which remain in situ. Of the fort on the Yarrow Hills very little remains, and it is now recognisable mainly by the ditch in front of its entrance. With the hill forts has been associated, from its situa¬ tion, a small, strongly fortified enclosure at the end of a rocky ridge above Loch Watenan, in the parish of Wick (No. 526). The interior is of such small dimensions that, were it not for the character of the remains and the absence of ruins, it might be taken for a broch. It greatly resembles a construction at East Kinnauld in Sutherland, and noted in the Inventory for that county.* In both cases there is an inner circular enclosure with a diameter of about 30', and an outer encircling wall along the edge of the narrow ridge or rock on which the construction has been placed. It is probably a coincidence, but perhaps worthy of observation, that in each case a broch has existed a few hundred yards away. Of promontory forts there are only three, and the application of the term to two of these is dubious. The undoubted example exists on the most easterly portion of the promontory of Holborn Head near 'Thurso (No. 438). It has been formed by the construction of a stone wall across the promontory, in rear of a spot where the breadth of the neck has been diminished by the erosion of the rock from either side. The interior of the fort is barren and wind-swept, and shows no signs of occupation. * Inventory of the Monuments of Sutherland (No. 479). INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. XXXvii Across the landward end of St John’s Point, in Canisbay parish, has been dug a deep ditch, further protected by a wall on the top of the scarp (No. 40). The area thus cut off measures some 10 acres in extent, and is said to contain the site of a chapel. The third fortified position is the remarkable peninsular rock called “An Dun” (No. 223), in the parish of Latheron. It is a hog-backed ridge of small extent rising from precipitous flanks, and lying parallel with the cliffs on the mainland, to which it is linked by a natural bridge of rock at a level considerably below that of the ground at either end. Though the peninsula affords hardly any flat ground, and is for the most part steeply sloped, there are visible the remains of a wall along its crest facing the bridge. Other two fortified enclosures are to be distinguished from those in the foregoing classes by their situations on low-lying ground and their different characteristics. Near the roadside at Kilmster, to the N. of Wick, is an oval enclosure surrounded by a single rampart of earth and stone, with a ditch outside it (No. 529). The enclosure is regularly under cultivation and the defences are in part oblitei’ated. The fragments of Hint, worked and otherwise, which have been collected from its surface suggest that this is a defensive site of an early period. The other construction, situated on the estate of Barrock, on land which has been mossy but is now drained, bears the name of the “Ring of Castle Hill” (No. 4). It is a circular mound, partially artificial, with a low parapet on the top of the scarp and surrounded by a ditch, formerly wet, with a broad, fiat- topped rampart outside it. The construction bears a strong resem¬ blance to many of the moated mounds on which brochs have been erected, but there is no surface indication of its ever having carried such a structure. The regularity maintained in the lines of its defences suggests a possible mediaeval origin. In addition to the foregoing there are two or three small circular constructions whose dimensions and more defensible aspect seem to differentiate them from ordinary hut circles. Such is the enclosure near Langwell (No. 224), witli an interior diameter of 32' and a wall measuring 11' in thickness. A similar construction has been noted near Auchinduich in Sutherland.* Of a somewhat similar character, as being more important than an ordinary hut circle, appears to be the enclosure near Watenan (No. 527). Hut Circles. The hut circles of Caithness are comparatively few in number, and show only in a trifling degree the diversity of plan and feature which distinguishes those in the neighbouring county of Sutherland— the simple pear-shaped or oval form, with a bank, or wall, of even thickness, being most generally met with. In distribution they are confined chiefly to the hilly regions on the S. and W., the greatest numbers being found in the I’arish of Latheron, where the physical aspect of the country differs but little from that of the adjacent part of Sutherland. Elsewhere, among the Yarrow Hills and near Ulbster in Wick parish, a few are to be found (No. 530 ct seq .); a small group is situated on Flex Hill in Watten Barish (No. 476), and by the * Inventory of the Moniunents of Sutherland (No. 55). XXXviii TITSTCIHICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. bases of Ben Freiceadain and Ben Dorrery in Eeay and Halkirk are several others. Smaller enclosures, built against the bank of a larger circle and adjacent to the entrance, were met with several times, and in one instance a double eircle was noticed forming a figure 8, the inner enclosure entering through the back of the other (No. 125). The hut circle (No. 357, fig. 20) situated at the base of Ben Freiceadain, illustrates a plan not infrequently observed in Sutherland.* Its main features are the segmental wall dividing the interior, and the thickening of the wall on either side of the entrance so as to form a passage. There is one exceptional con¬ struction (No. 356) situated near Brawlbin, which, though without parallel in Caithness, seems to find its analogue in Sutherland.j- It appears to be a solid building, with a diameter of some 45', having chambers within it opening off a narrow passage which curves around the interior. In a few instances hut circles were observed connected with larger enclosures (Nos. 244 and 245), as was frequently the case in the neighbouring county, but here such association was exceptional. The small mounds of earth and stone, with a diameter of from 12' to 26', presumed to be sepulchral, which occur so frequently in close proximity to hut circles in Sutherland, were more rarely met with in Caithness. They were, however, observed in a number of instances, e.g. on Warehouse Hill (No. 225), by the Berriedale Water (No. 231), and near Ulbster (No. 534), situated adjacent to hut circles. A number of oblong structures with rounded ends are the remains of shieling bothies connected with the practices of farming in former days. They are to be found in the upland part of the county, usually situated on low hillocks in a sheltered hollow by the side of a burn. The booth consisted of a dwelling apartment and a place for storing the milk vessels, while there was in addition a small fold to keep the calves separated from the cows during the night. The women and girls went up yearly to the shielings with the cows about midsummer, and there remained, making butter and cheese for a month or six weeks, while the hill pasture was good. The practice had fallen into disuse by the end of the 18th century.| Earth-houses. Only three earth-houses came under observation in the county, of which two were in the Strath of Langwell (Nos. 246 and 247) in Latheron Parish, and one was near Ham (No. 65) in Dunnet parish. The former are both imperfect, but are of the simple gallery type of which a number of instances occur in the adjacent Strath of Kildonan in Sutherland. One of them (No. 247) is situated among the foundations of rectangular buildings which appear to be the remains of crofters’ houses. The earth-house near Ham is of a different class. Instead of being beneath the natural surface of the ground, it occupies the centre of a large artificial mound reached by a low and narrow entrance passage opening off an oval depression which * See Inventory of the Monuments of Sutherland No. 512, fig. 75. t Ihid., Nos. 429 and 600. \ See General View of the Atjriculfure of Caithness (1812), p. 145. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. XXXIX suggests a hut circle. The passage at its termination gives access to a distinct chamber, the floor of which, covered with food refuse, bears abundant evidence of occupation. The marked absence of underground dwellings throughout the county is possibly due to the shallowness of the soil. Galleried Dwellings. In the parish of Latheron, which occupies the southern end of the county, a class of dwelling was met with which has not hitherto come under observation. In plan the construction is either circular with an interior diameter usually of from 20' to 25', or oblong with rounded ends measuring on an average about 45' by 14', while occasionally there are conjoined chambers or enclosures of both forms. The walls, now as a rule much ruined, are formed of large stones laid in courses without mortar. At some 3' or 4' inwards from the face of the wall around the interior, pillar stones have been set in the floor 5' to 6' distant from each other, and judging from the one example which has been excavated (No. 250), from 5' to 6' in height above the floor level. From the top of the wall there have been laid to the top of the pillars, which have been of similar height, massive slabs measuring from 6' to 7' in length, 2' to 3' in breadth, and from 7" to 12" in thickness, while roofing the interspaces slabs of square-like form have been laid across, as may be seen in the “Cor Tulloch” at Houstry of Dunbeath (No. 262, pi. XXII.), where one such slab remains in situ. By these means a covered gallery, or aisle, has been formed around the interior leaving a central nave between the opposing pillars. Whether this was roofed over or left open it is not possible to state definitely without further excavation; but in the oblong examples, where the total width in the interior on an average is about 15', and the width of the central area only some 4' or 5', the completion of a slab roof over the whole structure is most probable. In the circular buildings, where the area within the circle of pillars has a diameter of 16' or 17', the employment of such a form of roofing is unlikely. In the example excavated, the chamber had been partially dug out of the slope of a hill, and the floor level at the back lay in consequence as much as 4' to 5' below that of the surface on the exterior. The masses of ruins from the fallen pillars and roofing slabs which now encumber the interiors, as well as the considerable accumulation of soil, disguise this feature, but it seems probable, from the low height to which the pillars are now' usually exposed, that previous to the erection of the buildings the sites have been dug out. Though the actual chambers containing the galleries are as a rule circular or oblong, there is considerable variety in the plans of the structures of which they have formed a part. On the Wagmore Rigg (No. 248) two circular enclosures lie conjoined; those near the base of Morven (No. 249) and near Braemore tNo. 252) are combined circles and oblongs; the example near Langwell (No. 250) is a curved oblong attached to a hut circle around which there has been no gallery ; while that near Forse (No. 263) consisted of four galleries varying in length from 48' to 54' or 55', and in breadth from 11' to 15', all interior measurements, with indications of circular en¬ closures connected with them. The large circular structure at Bail xl HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. a’ chairn, Braemore (No. 255), though much vuiued, appears to have had a second and inner concentric line of pillars. The oblong en¬ closure at Langwell was found to be divided into two by a cross wall near the centre, leaving an outer court which showed no signs of having been roofed. I\Iost of these structures occur in very remote situations. Far up the Langwell Strath, at the base of Morven, there are two or three; across the watershed on the Berriedale, by Braemore, are a number of others; while that at Bail a’ chairn, is in an inaccessible spot several miles further up the Berriedale glen. In the Strath of the Uunbeath river, near the lonely shepherd’s house of Achnaclyth, their ruins may be seen ; while near the extremity of the cultivated land at Houstry of Dunbeath is a large example—the “ Cor Tulloch.” Before tlie roofs liad fallen, the cave-like appearance of these dwellings caused the Gaelic-speaking people to term them “Uamh” or “Uamhag,” a name still surviving in the Anglicised corruption “ Wag.” The ruined condition to which they have now been reduced renders the original term no longer descriptive, though it still survives as a place-name. Wagmore Rigg takes its name from the circular constructions (No. 248); “WagMor” represents a group of three in the Dunbeath deer forest (No. 256), while “The Wag” by the side of the Wag Burn signifies another group near Achnaclyth. Though no examples were found outside Latherou parish, it is possible that some of the indeterminate constructions concealed beneath grassy mounds near Shurrery, in Eeay parish, may have been of this character. Further, in the secondary buildings beside the broch of Yarrows, the upright slabs placed at short distances from the wall in the interior of the two long enclosures evidently indicate a similar structural arrangement. Though no upright pillars or fallen slabs in the interior of any of the Sutherland hut circles suggested this type of dwelling, there is a resemblance to them in the forms of the oblong structures noted in Strath Brora and in the wood near XJppat * in that county. Thomas Pennant, in the account of his tour in the Highlands of Scotland in 1769, furnishes a description, supplied by the Ptev. Alexander Pope of Eeay, of certain “ forest ” or “ hunting-houses ” in Glen Loth in Sutherland which he says were called by the natives “ Uags.”f The description suggests that they were analogous to the structures under discussion. The foundations of these buildings are still visible and are noted on the Ordnance Map, but they are overgrown with grass and their plans are indeterminate. Structures of an analogous nature are said to occur in Orkney, and the ruins of a circular building, with a row of built piers, instead of monoliths, around the interior giving support to a bee-hive roof, are to be seen near Huishnish in South Ui8t,and are described and illustrated in the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, vol. vii. p. 165, pi. xxxiv. and xxxv. To these structures there may be assigned an origin in the iron age, and, from their varied plans, probalEy a late one; but their exact position in the sequence of ancient habitations has yet to be revealed. * See Inventory of tlie Monuments of Sutherland (Nos. 37 and 282, figs. 6 and 33). t See Pennant’s Tour (1772), Pt. II., Additions to the Tour in Scotland, p. 18. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS, xli Chambekeh Cairns. 1. Horned Cairns. The number of horned cairns still recognisable in the county is fifteen, though many of them are in an extreme state of dilapidation and have suffered much for the sake of the stones of which they have been composed. Of the fifteen, eleven are horned long cairns, while the remaining four are of the horned—round, or short horned variety. Though they are distributed with fair regularity throughout the county from Dounreay in the N\V. to the Strath of Langwell in the S., in two particular regions they preponderate at the present time— in the bills around the Loch of Yarrows in Wick parisli, where tliere are five to be found, and by Loch Calder and Shebster Hill in the parish of Eeay, where there are six. Only four of the first class are known to have been excavated. The horned long cairns of Yarrows (Nos. 543 and 544), and the similar cairn at Camster (563), were explored and reported on by Dr Joseph Anderson in 1865- 66, and the cairn of Heathercro in the parish of Bower (No. 5) was examined by the late Sir Francis Tress Barry, but no record was published. Though each of the four cairns had a chamber in the higher or easterly end, these chambers were not uniform in jdan. In the Yarrows cairns the chambers were tripartite or tricameral, and were reached by passages entering from the centre of the frontal concavity. The chamber in the prominent end of the cairn of Camster (No. 563) was a small cell, entered from the side of the cairn by a low narrow passage about 2' in height and breadth; but near the centre of the length of the cairn there was a large tri- Fig. G.—Polished Hammer partite chamber, reached by a ofGieyGranite(4inches passage from the same side as t o 1 1 1 f miegill Cairn (No. .5;)b). the other and remarkable lor its size. The chamber in the end of the Heathercro cairn was five-sided, undivided, and of small size, 4' 8" in width, and was entered also from the side, thus resembling the cell in the Camster cairn. Of the horned, round cairns, two, the cairns of Ormiegill and “ Get ” (Nos. 556 and 559), are in Wick parish, and two (Nos. 372 and 374) are in the parish of Keay. The former have both been excavated by Dr Joseph Anderson, and some of the relics found are here illustrated (figs. Cl, H, and 1). The chamber of the Ormiegill cairn was tripartite, wliile that of the “Cairn of Get” was divided into two compartments. Neither of the other two cairns has been explored. Fig. H. — Arrow-head of Flint from the Ormiegill Cairn. Fig. I.—Leaf-shaped Arrow - head of Flint (actual size) from the “ Cairn ofGet”(No.559). xlii HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. The results of Dr Joseph Anderson’s examination of the horned cairns of Caithness are summed up in Ids article thereon published in the Procccdings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, vol. vii. p. 480. Tlie conclusions he arrived at were that, though there was no actual proof that the primary interments in these cairns were those of uiiburnt bodies, yet the discovery of fragments of unburnt human bone under and through the deposit of ashes and burnt bones on tlie chamber floor, as well as quantities of unburnt teeth in the corners of the compartments, miglit lead to that presumption. The compacted layer of burnt human bones, burnt and splintered bones of animals, and fragments of pottery which formed the floors, was ample evidence of a period during which burial after cremation was practised and one possibly of very long duration, while the human remains of unburnt bodies deposited above it with unburnt bones of animals indicated the latest mode of sepulture. Between the long and short cairns there was a marked difference in the quantity of contents found in the chambers. “ In both the short cairns the “ accumulation of ashes and burnt bones in the floors was very great. '■ In the long cairns the floor was composed nearly as much of clay “ as of ashes and bones. In the short cairns the quantity of broken “ pottery was very large. Pottery only occurred in one of the long “ cairns, and then only two small fragments were found—the “ secondary cist and its contents [in No. 544] being excepted. In “ both the short cairns Hint chips and worked flints were numerous, “ and finished weapons were found in both; but no vestige of worked “ flint was found in any of the long cairns, except a small conical “ core, and even chips were extremely rare. While, therefore, “ cremation seems to have been practised sparingly in the long cairns, “ it becomes the principal feature of the chamber in the short ones, “ and along with it the deposition of weapons and ornaments seems “ to have taken place only in the short cairns. ” * 2. Unhorned {long) Cairns. No single example of the unhorned long cairns, of which there are six or seven in the county, has been explored; it is unknown, therefore, whether or not in the character of their chambers or the nature of their contents they present any difference from the horned variety. Externally, except for the absence of horns, they do not differ in appearance, and though the situation of certain of these cairns precludes the idea of their ever having been horned, yet in several other cases evidence of the horn-like projections and frontal concavity might be discovered beneath the turf on excavation. The orientation of the long cairns of both classes is usually stated to be E. and W., with the more prominent extremity in the former direction. This statement, however, is only approximately accurate, for, of the eighteen examples noted, only three (including one regarded as a site) lie with their main axes E. and W. and their prominent end towards the E. One (No. 441) lies N. and S., expanding towards the latter direction. Two (Nos. 369 and 370) lie adjacent to each other on the crest of a hill, so placed that they converge in direction with * Proceedintjs of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, vol. vii. p. 509. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNE.SS. xliii their more prominent extremities towards the point of convergence, the main axis of one lying WNW. and ESE., and of the other NNE. and SSW. 3. Bound Gairnfi. The round cairns whose chambered character has been ascertained number thirty-eight. Excavation in these has revealed much the same conditions as in the horned round cairns—the same compacted floor of ashes in which are intermingled burnt human bones and bones of domestic animals, numerous fragments of pottery, and chips and tools or weapons of Hint, with the remains of unburnt interments on the surface of the floor. The cases in which the chamber has been fully exposed (which form, however, only a small proportion of the total number of chambered cairns in tlie county) seem to indicate that the prevailing plan of the chamber, has been tripartite, as in Sutherland it was markedly bipartite. The excavated cairns are mostly situated on the E. side of the county. In the W. near Shurrery is a large cairn (No. 362, pi. XXXIII.) from which massive slabs project in such a manner as to suggest that the chamber to wliich they appear to belong is of a form not hitherto recorded in the county ; while another cairn situated in the vicinity (No. 363), which has been demolished recently for road metal, has contained either two large parallel chambers or a chamber of complex character such as is to be found in certain cairns in Orkney. A cairn near Halkirk (No. 129) seems to have been of a similar variety. One of the excavated cairns, “Cairn Hanach” (No. 562), showed in its chamber a peculiarity of plan. While the chamber itself was bipartite, there opened off the inner compartment on one side a small recess. The fragments of pottery found embedded in the floor within the chamber of this cairn were extraordinarily numerous, and, from the variety of their quality and ornament, they probably indicate the use of the cairn over the transitional period between the neolithic and bronze ages. A cairn with a similar recess, but opening off an undivided chamber, was noted near Aultnacealgach in Sutherland * and the fragments of pottery recovered from it were also such as probably belonged to a late date. Besides the difference from the prevailing type of Sutherland cairn revealed in the existence of tripartite instead of bipartite chambers, another marked distinction is to be noted in the character of the building. While in the Sutherland chambers the use of large slabs in substitution of building is almost invariable, in those of Caithness slabs of great size are, with rare exception, employed only as partition stones and in the back wall. In Sutherland a similar feature was observed to be peculiar to certain round cairns also with tripartite chambers on the E. coast adjacent to the Caithness border. The fashion of demarcating the base of a round cairn with large boulders, especially noticeable in the case of those of small size in Sutherland, does not appear to have been followed to any extent in this county. In two instances, however, it was especially noticed— * Inventory of the Monuments of Sutherland (No. 14). xliv HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. the “ Earl’s Cairn ” at Hollandmaik (No. 72, pi. XL), and the “ Cnoc na Ciste ” on Sordale Hill (No. 442). Both of these, however, are chambered cairns and not of small dimensions. These cairns have been excavated, but in neither case does there seem to be a record of the particulars observed, and the details known do not warrant any conclusions as to the period of their erection. Though in no instance do standing-stones appear in the outline of the horns of any of the horned long cairns as in the Coille na Borgie cairn in Sutherland, yet, as in that cairn, upright stones occur at irregular intervals along the outline of the “ Tulach an t-Sionnaich” near Loch Calder (No. 135). Attention may be directed to the situations on which many of the chambered cairns heave been erected. Though no invariable practice seems to have been followed in the selection of a site, the top of some elevation of moderate height, rising from the plain and conspicuous from afar, has been seldom left unappropriated. The summit of Cnoc Freiceadain, on Shebster Hill, is crowned with the two horned long cairns (Nos. 369 and 370) visible from a large surrounding area ; and equally conspicuous against the sky-line from the W. is the long cairn (No. 439) on Sordale Hill. The Heathercro cairn (No. 5) occupies the end of a hill which rises from the Brabster Moss, and large round cairns are to be found on the summits of Cnoc na Maranaich, the Warehouse Hill, and Ben Freiceadain respectively. Cairns containing Cists. In thirteen cairns cists have been revealed, and, of these, nine are situated in the parish of Wick. In several instances also, cists were observed placed as secondary constructions within cairns of an earlier period. One was found by Dr Joseph Anderson set in the floor of the outer compartment of one of the long cairns of Yarrows (No. 544), another was found in the long cairn known as “ Sinclair’s Shean ” (No. 10), while, near the distal end of one of the horns of a horned round cairn at Upper Dounreay (No. 372), another is exposed. A megalithic cist was discovered in a cairn (No. 551) on Warehouse Hill, containing the skull and bones of a human skeleton lying on a quantity of shingle. Two cairns containing cists (Nos. 558 and 560) were noted in definite association with stone rows. Stone Circles. There is a remarkable absence of stone circles in Caithness, though tradition, and the occurrence of monoliths whose appearance suggests that they have respectively formed parts of such settings, imply that a number which formerly existed have now disappeared. There is at the present time only one undoubted example in which more than two stones remain erect, i.e. the stone circle at Guidebest, in the parish of Latheron (No. 279). In the neighbourhood of this circle, but further down the burn of Latheronwheel and on its opposite bank, other two circles, destroyed about forty years ago, are said to have stood, but of these no record appears to exist. One unnoted INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS, xlv stone circle (No. 141) was discovered on Achanarras Hill, in the parish of Halkirk, but the five large stones which now represent it are all prostrate. A setting of stones (No. 142) at Backlass, in the same parish, is possibly the remains of another, but its character is doubtful. The O.S. map indicates a stone circle near Forse (No. 294), but the situation of three stones which remain does not suggest that, in their present positions at least, they have formed part of sucli a monument. Standing-Stones (Settings of). One of the most remarkable monuments in the county is the setting of standing-stones at Achkinloch (No. 293, pi. XXX.). It is in form an irregular oval open at one end like a horseshoe, estimated originally to have contained fifty-four stones when complete, of which thirty-four are still standing. A'll the stones are placed with their broad faces across the line of direction of the circumference of the oval. Outside it a cist-like construction of flags is set in the ground abutting on one of the stones, but it is not known whether it contained an interment or not. There have been noted in the Inventory the remains of what appears to have been a similar monument (No. 1G3, fig. 10) in Halkirk parish, near Broubster. It is, however, in a very imperfect condition. No cairn is apparently connected with either setting, and their true significance is unknown. Stone Eows. Settings of stone rows are unusually numerous in Caithness. In all, ten examples have been noted, of which seven are in the parish of Wick, five of them lying at no great distance from each other near Watenan, where, associated in locality with them, are cairns and other prehistoric monuments. A similar association characterises the setting at Upper Dounreay (N^o. 397). The setting in Latheron parish (No. 292) has given a name to its situation, “The Hill o’ Many Stanes,” and is the most remarkable monument of this class in the county. IMany of the stones which composed its twenty-two rows have been removed, but a sufficient number still remain to render it impressive. Since 1871, when a plan was made, the numbers appear to have been i-educed considerably. Four of the settings (Nos. 16^, 558, 560, and 561) radiate from cairns, two of which have been excavated and contained cists. In one of the latter, examined by Dr Joseph Anderson, there were found fragments of an urn decorated with the impress of a twisted cord, and two oval-shaped pieces of chipped flint. There is no record regarding the excavation of the other cist. One setting near Broughwhin (No. 572) is peculiar, in that it consists of two rows radiating from a single upright stone and not from a cairn. The number of rows in these monuments varies, but the character of the stones of which they are formed, and the method in which they are placed, are very similar in all cases. The stones are as a rule small slabs, seldom standing to a greater height than two feet above the present ground level, firmly wedged in at the base with smaller stones, and placed so that their broader surfaces face aci’oss the direction of the rows. In some instances xlvi HISTORICAL MONUJIENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. the size of the slabs increases slightly towards the outer extremities of the rows. It is worthy of note that similar settings found in Sutherland were in the Strath of Kildonan, which lies adjacent to the Caithness boundary on the south, and that no others of a similar character are known at the present time in Scotland. Standing-stones. There are a large number of standing-stones throughout the county. The most conspicuous are the stone on the moor at Borgue (No. 290), and a stone of great dimensions at Latheron (288), each measuring 12' 8" in height. Some of the stones are pillars, more or less square in section, and others are flat slabs, but whether any significance attaches to this distinction is unknown. On the crest of a ridge adjacent to the Loch of Yarrows are two conspicuous pillars, 18' 6" apart. Though excavation was made many years ago around them, no trace of an interment was found. Pairs of stones have also been noted in Bower parish, where a prostrate stone was observed 96' SSE. of the stone known as “Stone Lud” (No. 13); on the Hill of Rangag, where one only of the pair (No. 284) remains erect, the other having fallen about fifty years ago ; and at Achvaras- dal (No. 404), where both stones lie prostrate. The Eangag stones are 160' apart, while those at Achvarasdal are 60' from one another. Distant 64' to the SE. of the pair by the Loch of Yarrows are the remains of a small cairn, which contained a cist; while 23' to the NW. of “ Stone Lud ” are also the remains of a small cairn, apparently excavated. A single standing-stone on Cnoc na Maranaich (No. 276) stands 20' to the E. of a ruined cairn which seems to have been chambered. No observance of any fixed rule in the orientation of the standing-stones has been noticed. Cup-MAEKKD Stones. Only three cup-marked stones (No. 576) have been recorded, and these are all detached blocks collected together at Nybster. Sculptured Stones. The sculptured stones bearing symbols or crosses characteristic of the period of the Celtic church have not been found in such numbers in Caithness as in some other counties in the north-east of Scotland. Tn all, there are on record nine stones sculptured with symbols or interlacing designs. Of these, three (Nos. 299, 577, 587) are now in the National Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh; two (Nos. 93 and 340) are beside the remains of the churches of Skinnet and Reay respectively; one (No. 444) has been removed from the old church¬ yard at Ulbster to the top of a mound in front of Thurso Castle; another (No. 445) is in the Thurso Museum ; one (No. 405) is said to have gone to Denmark; and the last (No. 407) was found covering a mill-lade and is now at Sandside House. Of these stones, five are of the class on which symbols appear without the cross, two show INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS, xlvii symbols as well as a cross enriched with Celtic interlaced work, and two bear such crosses without any other device. On three of the stones of the first class tliere appears a symbol of unknown meaning, consisting of three connected oval figures (pi. XXXVII.), which, so far, has not been found elsewhere in Scotland. On two of the stones of the same class are portions of Ogham inscriptions. The survey has produced one new example of the third variety, the cross slab (No. 93) beside the ruined church at Skinnet. Several crosses of later date have been recorded for the first time, among which one on a boulder at Lybster (No. 297) is perhaps the most interesting. At Sandside House there is a second stone bearing symbols, but these obviously are not of the character associated with Celtic art. Miscellaneous. Among the miscellaneous monuments, attention may be directed to the inscribed memorial commemorating members of the Groat family, built into the wall of Canisbay Church (No. 25). The inscrip¬ tion is not clear, and has possibly suffered from re-cutting at some period. The detached bell-tower in Latheron (No. 283) is a structure of unusual occurrence in Scotland, and probably of 17th century date. An object of peculiar interest is the impression of a human foot (No. 162) cut on a rock surface near Shurrery. A number of such sculpturings are to be found in Scotland and elsewhere, and it is asserted, in regard to those in this country and in Ireland, that they indicate the places of inauguration of petty kings or chieftains.* A number of old dove-cots of various forms have been noted and illustrated. One on the island of Stroma (No. 50, pi. VII.) bears a date—1677—and is further peculiar in that it forms an upper storey to a burial vault. * See Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, vol. xiii. p. 28, where a number of instances of the occurrence of sucli marks is given. xlviii HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND') COMMISSION. TABLE SHOWING THE CONDITION AND DIMENSIONS, WHERE ASCERTAINABLE, OF BROCHS IN THE COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. No. in Inventory. Name and Situation. Diameter over all. Diameter of Interior. Condition. 1 Parish of Bower. Halcro .... A grass-covered mound. 2 “ Gunn’s Hillock,” Barrock A low mound surmounted 3 “Hill of Works,” do. 55' 29' with trees. Excavated. 18 Canister .... A mound under cultivation. 19 Bowertower A mound (partially re- 1 22 Ha’ of Bowermadden. c. 30' moved). Excavated and removed. 33 Parish of Canishay. Ness Broch, Freswick 52' 6" 22' Excavated. , 34 Freswick Links 55' 8" 32' 8' do. 35 Skirza Head 50' 22' do. 36 Everley, Tofts of Freswick 60' 29' do. 37 Brabstermire A mound under cultivation. 38 Scoolary .... do. 39 Hollandniey (supposed broch) .... do. 52 Auckingill A site under cultivation. 53 Gills .... A mound under cultivation. 54 Steinster .... A site under cultivation. 62 Parish of Dunnet. Scarfskerry A fragment on a pro- 63 Murza .... montory. A mound under cultivation. 64 Ha’ of Greenland (supposed broch) .... do. 96 Parish of Halkirk, Mybster .... A grass-covered mound. 97 Achies .... do. 98 do. ... do. 99 Achanarras A fragmentary mound. 100 Spital .... A grass-covered mound. 101 do. .... A grass-covered mound 102 Achlochan Moss (partially removed). A grass - covered annular 103 “ Cnoc Donn,” Dale . ... mound. A grass-covered mound. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS, xlix 1 No. in Inventory. Name and Situation. Diameter over all. 104 Dale .... 105 “Cam na Mairg,” Wester- dale .... 52' 106 ‘ ‘ Tulach Buaile a’ Chnoic, ”do. 107 “ Tulach Beag,” Tormsdale. 108 “ Tulach Mor,” do. f. 54' 109 Leosag .... 110 North Calder 111 Framside .... . . . 112 “ Tulloch of Achavarn ” 62' 113 “ Shean Harraig,” Scots- calder .... 114 Upper Sour 115 “ Housel Cairn,” Halkirk (supposed hroch) . 116 Skinnet .... 117 “ Knockglass,” Westlield . 179 Hoy. 180 Achies .... Parish of Latheron. 189 Camster .... 190 Warehouse 60' 191 “ Green Hill,” Roster 64' 192 Ballachly, Stemster . 193 Bruan .... 50' 194 “Gunn’s Hillock,” Bruan . 195 Mid Clyth, 196 Tiantulloch, Houstry. 56' 197 Minera, Newlands of Houstry 70' 198 Oecumster 199 Achavar, Oecumster . 68' 200 “ Tulloch Turnal,” Langwell 48'-50 201 “ Burg Langwell,” do. 48' 202 “ Tulach Bad a’ Choilich, do. 203 “ An Dun ” Allt an Duin, Berriedale. 46' 204 Ousedale Burn . 52' 205 Berriedale 54' Diameter of Interior. Condition. A grass - covered mound (partially removed). 31' A grass-covered mound (en trance passage exposed). A grass-covered mound. A grass - covered mound (partially removed). A grass covered mound. A mound under cultivation. A grass-covered mound, do. Removed almost to its foundations. A grass-covered mound, do. do. A grass - covered mound (partially removed). A grass-covered mound, yite marked on O.S. do. i 1 1 A grass-covered mound, do. do. do. do. do. do. do. 28' do. do. do. Much dilapidated and pil¬ laged. Excavated to a small extent. 1 Much dilapidated. 24' 24' Wall exjiosed to a height of 3'. Excavated and in good preservation. Much dilapidated. d 1 HISTORICAL JIONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. No. in [ Inventory. Name and Situation. Diameter over all. Diameter of Interior. Condition. 206 Upper Borgue . 63' Wall partially exposed. 207 “ Burg Kuadli,” Berriedale . 54' Wall partially exposed to height of 7'. A grass-covered mound. 208 Acliow .... 209 Smerral .... 63' do. 210 do. .... 66' do. 211 Latheronwheel . 66' do. 212 Burn of Latheronwheel 53' do. 213 214 Ealantrath, Dunbeath Strath .... Achorn, Dunbeath c. 60' An unmeasurable ruin. A grass-covered mound 215 Dunbeath .... 55' (partially removed). Excavated; trees growing 216 Knockinnon within it. A grass-covered mound. 217 Upper Latheron do. 218 “Appnag Tulloch,” Forse . 60' 34'-36' A grass-covered mound (ex- 219 Kumster .... 52' cavated to a small extent). A grass-covered mound. 220 Golsary .... 56' do. 221 “Usshilly Tulloch,” Forse . 64' do. 222 “ Greysteil Castle,” Loch Eangag 69' c. 39' A ruin—greatest elevation 318 Parish of Olrirj. Thurdistoft 66' about 12'. A grass-covered mound, but 319 Murkle .... wall exposed on exterior. A grass-covered mound. 320 Castlehill, Castletown A grass-covered mound 321 Sibmister .... (partially removed). A grass-covered mound. 322 323 Olrig Glebe (supposed broch) .... Olrig House (do.) A mound under cultivation. A grass-covered mound. 344 345 Parish of Reay. “ Tulloch of Stemster,” Stemster Stemster .... A grass-covered mound. A mound partly under 346 “Tulloch of Lybster,” Hill of Lybster 61' 6" 32' 6" cultivation. Much ruined and partially 347 Crosskirk .... 58'-62' 30'-32' removed. Wall partially exposed. ‘ 348 349 “ Green Tulloch,” Borrow- ston Mains “ Knock Urray,” Lower Dounreay 128'-30' 43' A circular mound of debris. 1 A grass-covered mound. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. li No. in Inventory. Name and Situation. Diameter over all. Diameter of Interior. Condition. 350 “ Achbuiligan Tullocli,” Upper Dounreay . A grass-covered mound. 351 Achunabust 53' do. 352 Creag Leathan, Aclivarasdal c. 66' Removed for the most part. 353 Achvarasdal Lodge 59' 33' Excavated. 429 Parish of Thurso. Scrabster .... A grass-covered mound. 430 Geise .... do. 431 “ Bell Mount,” Scrabster . do. 432 “ Tiling’s Va” . 60' 30' Partially excavated. 433 Adjacent to Thing’s Va A grass-covered mound. 434 “ lirimside Tulloch,” Lythe- more .... 58' Ruins considerably exposed. 435 Hoy Farm Ha’ of Duran Partially demolished. 436 A grass-covered mound. 437 “Tullocli of Shalmstry,” Weydale 72' do. 455 Oust..... No structural remains 461 Parish of Watten. Old Hall of Dunn . visible. A grass-covered mound. 462 “ Cairn of Dunn ” A mound under cultivation. ' 463 Old Hall of Dunn A grass-covered mound. 464 Green Hill, Wester Watten A grass-covered mound (pas- 465 466 Banks of Watten (supposed broch) .... “ Bail a’ Chairn,” Acharole . 58' 30' sage partially exposed). A grass-covered mound. Excavated and filled in 467 “Cam a’ Chladda,” Scouthal again. A grass-covered mound. 468 Watten .... 64' do. 469 Cogle or Coghill 63' 29' Excavated and filled in 470 Scottag .... again. A grass-covered mound. 471 “Grey Cairn,” Lynegar do. 472 “ Gearsay Cairn ” do. 473 Achingale .... Mostly removed. 474 Spital .... A grass-covered mound 475 Knockglass do. 499 Parish of Wick. Cairn Hill, Old Stirkoke . 56' 30' Partially removed. 500 Tannacli .... A mound under cultivation. 501 Gansclet .... A grass-covered mound, 1 502 Thrumster 66' 36' partially built upon. Excavated. 503 Thrumster, Little 56' 6" 30' 6" Wall faces par tially exposed. 11 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. No. ill Inventory. Name and Situation. Diameter over all. Diameter i of Interior. 1 Condition. 504 Heiupriggs 56' A grass-covered mound. 505 Stemster .... do. 506 “Cairn of Humster” . do. 507 Kilmster .... 63' 33' Much ruined. Partially 508 “Norwall Broch,” South Kilmster 53' 26' excavated. Partially excavated. 509 Yarrows .... 54' 30' Excavated and in bad 510 Borrowston repair. A grass-covered mound. 511 Brounaban Excavated. 513 “Wester Broch,” Keiss 53' 27' do. 514 Bilbster .... A grass-covered mound. 515 Keiss .... 62' 38' Excavated. 516 “ Broch at the White Gate,” Keiss .... 52' 26' Excavated. 517 “ Road Broch,” Keiss 61' 6"- 34' Excavated and in bad 518 Nybster .... 65' 6" 51' 23' repair. Excavated. 519 Thuster .... Mound under cultivation. 520 Hillhead, Broadhaven 56' 30' Excavated and partially 521 “ Cairn of Elsay,” Staxigoe 63' 29' filled in again. Partially excavated and in 522 Camster .... bad repair. A grass-covered mound. 523 Ulbster .... do. 524 Watenan .... 63' do. 525 Toftgun .... Almost entirely removed. 588 Kettleburn Excavated and removed. INVEXTOHV OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS, liii TABLE SHOWING THE CHARACTER AND DISTRIBUTION OF CAIRNS AND THEIR CHAMBEltS IN THE COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. Parishes. (D a o S-4 b'o d a? d (V 44 . o pq ’S c3 o 5 P cS M X c3 Olri CC H C3 o H j Horned long cairns 1 1 1 3 2 3 11 Do. round cairns 2 2 4 1 Unhorned long cairns . 2 2 1 (?)1 1 7 Round-chamhered cairns 2 1 2 4 9 9 2 1 8 38 60 Round cairns of uncertain type, with diameter of 40' and over . 1 2 3 1 1 8 Small cairns of uncertain type, with less diameter 3 1 4 3 2 1 3 2 3 22 Cairns in which primary cists have been exposed 1 1 1 1 9 13 Analysis of Plans o f Chambers. Chambers of horned cairns— Tripartite Bipartite .... Undivided 4 4 1 1 1 2 3 Chambers of unhorned cairns— Tripartite Bipartite .... 1 3 4 3 3 Do. with recess 1 1 Undivided 1 1 2 Uncertain 3 1 1 7 7 1 14 3 2 4 43 Cliainhered cairns . . . .60 Large cairns of uncertain type . . 8 Smaller cairns of uncertain type . . 22 Cairns with cists . . . . .13 Total number of cairns . 103 e INVENTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND HISTORICAL MONUMENTS AND CONSTRUCTIONS IN THE COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. PARISH OF BOWER. Defensive Constructions. 1. Brock, Halcro .—At Halcro, about h in. S. of the Manse, situated amidst the cultivated fields, is a grassy knoll which apparently covers the ruins of a hroch. It has been dug into and removed to a small extent on the NE. and SW. but for the most part is well preserved. The top is Hat and the sides somewhat steeply scarped. Tlie diameter across the top is some 66' and the elevation about 10'. The O.S. map records the finding of human remains here. O.S M.,* Caith., xii (“Cairn.”) Visited, 28th June 1910. 2. Brock,Gunn’s Hillocli ."—About | in. SSW. of Barrock House, in a walled enclosure, and surmounted with trees, are the remains of a hroch now represented by a low mound some 3' in height, and with a diameter of about 60'. It is overgrown witli rank vegetation, and no structure is visible. 3. Brock, “ Hill of Works .”—This hroch, which is situated at the corner of a wood about m. S. of Barrock House, was excavated by the late Sir Francis Tress Barry in 1900, and a plan made at the time is here reproduced (fig. 1). It is entered from the WSW. by a passage 13' in length, 3' 4" wide at the exterior, and 3' 8" wide at the inner end ; at 8' inwards on the left is a rebate 9" deep, and on the right another of 7" ending in a square-edged recess measuring 7" by 3" such as might contain the wooden jamb of a door. Within these door checks the passage is 4' wide. The interior diameter of the broch is some 29'. A break in the wall 10' to the left of the inner end of the entrance passage marks the entrance to a chamber and probably to the stair, now obscured by ruins and vegetation. In front of this, some 5' distant from the wall, is a well, now for the most part choked with debris, reached by steps some 2' 3" below the floor level. In line with the right side of the entrance passage a secondary wall projects for 7' into the interior from the wall of the main structure: at its distal end it is 2' 6" high and 2' broad. Portions of flags protrude here and there through the vegetation that now covers the interior. The wall at greatest height in the interior measures 4', but is for tbe most part broken down; on the exterior it has a height of about 2' 6". Outside the broch, at an irregular distance of from 3' to 4', is a wall running concentrically around it for three quarters of its periphery, the remaining segment, as appears from the plan, being faced with a scarcement. From a point on the S. some 32' distant * This reference throughout is to the Ordnance Survey Maps, 6-inch scale. I 9 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Bower. across the top of the wall from the inner end of the passage^ on the left, a wall has been exposed branching to the SE. About 26' distant Fig. 1.—Broch, “ Hill of Works ” (No. 3); Ground-plan. from the outer face of the broch on the N. and 50' on the S. but obliterated on the W. a ditch has encircled the structure. On the N. this ditch is 45' in width and still some 10' in depth below the crests of scarp and counterscarp, but on the S. it is less well defined. The area between the ditch and the broch does not appear to have been explored. The plan shows an outer passage leading towards the entrance to the broch. A quantity of fragments of coarse hand-made pottery was found, indicating large and small vessels, which are now in the National Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh. Within the chamber, lying on the fioor were found the remains of two skeletons. 4. Fort, Bing of Castle Hill’’ Lytli .—About m. to the S. of Barrock Home Farm is a circular green mound rising from the middle of a moss now drained, which has evidently been a defensive construction of small extent. A ditch some 35' in width encircles it at its base, having on the outside a bank, formed of the upcast, some 2' 6" in elevation above the natural level, and 11' broad across the top, which is fiat. The ditch has a depth of some 5' below the level of the top of this outer bank, and of 8' 2" from the top of the breast¬ work which crowns the scarp. The breastwork, which seems to be an earthen mound, is some 8' thick at base and some 2' to 3' high on the inner side; tfie diameter of the interior is some 94'. The entrance has been from the N., from which direction the continuity of the ditch is interrupted by an approach over unexcavated ground some 15' wide. There is no stone-work visible through the turf with INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 3 Parish of Bower. which the construction is covered, but at one or two places near the base of the scarp on the W. rock protrudes, indicating that a natural elevation has been utilised. The ditch was probably wet, the bottom being considerably below the natural level. O.S.M., Caith., xiii. Visited, 4th July 1910. Sepulchral Constructions. 5. Cliamhercd Cairn {horned, long), “ Cairn of Heathercrof Brabster Moss. —Situated on the end of a hill which rises to an elevation of some 272' over sea level, and about 1 m. to the E. of the Free Church at Halcro, is the cairn of Heathercro. It is much dilapidated, but appears to have been a long cairn with a length of about 150'; the body of the cairn, however, in rear of the chamber has been removed to such an extent that accurate measurements of that portion are not now obtainable. The main axis lies NE. and SW. At the former end a considerable mound still remains, with a diameter from NW. to SE. of 62' and from NE. to SW. of some 50'. Its elevation is about 8'. At 41' from the NE. end the upper portion of a large slab 4' broad is visible standing erect at right angles to the major axis of the cairn; at 5' S. of it and nearer the edge of the cairn is another similar slab; while some 8' in rear of the latter is a third. The cairn was excavated by Sir Francis Tress Barry, and a five-sided undivided chamber formed of flags set on end was found in the mound at the NE. end. An entrance passage led into it from the SE. side. In one corner lay the broken fragments of an urn and in another four teeth of a horse. These objects were replaced in the cairn, by desire of the proprietress, and it is to be regretted that they are no longer available for examination. It is stated that the cairn was horned, but at the SW. end only. The O.S, map records a previous discovery of human remains and pottery in 1871. The author of the article in the Statistical Account (1793) relating to the parish of Bower, in describing this cairn, says, “ The cairn of Heather Cow is surrounded by 6 or 7 circles described at different distances around by large stones set on edge.” No sign of these remains. O.S.M., Caith. , xii. Visited, 28th June 1910. 6. “Cairn of Ushly," Hastigroio.- —On the crest of the moorland a little more than I m. S. of the Smithy at Hastigrow is a small cairn measuring some 30' in diameter and 3' in elevation. A depression on the top probably implies that it has been excavated. O.S.M., Caith., xiii. Visited, 4th July 1910. 7. Cairn {sug^poscd), “ Torran Beitheach,” Knockdee. —In a grassy field about | m. SW. of the Mill of Knockdee is a low mound which is probably a cairn. It has a diameter of about 30', and an elevation of about IV. The mound has been much ploughed down. The O.S. map records that human remains and an urn were found here. 8. Chambered Cairn, Mill of Knockdee .—About 150 yards SSW. of the Mill of Knockdee is a small cairn. It measures in diameter some 4 HISTORICAL monuments (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Bower. 33' and in elevation about 3' 6". Three large slabs protruding through the turf indicate its chambered character. A depression in the centre suggests that it has been partially excavated. (O.S. “ Mound.”) O.S.M., Caith., xii. Visited, 7th September 1910. 9. Chavibcred Cairn,SJtea^i,” Stemster. —At Stemster, about 1| m. to the NNAV. of Stemster House, is the “Shean” or “ Sithean,” a chambered cairn excavated in 1904 by the late Sir Francis Tress Barry. The following details are derived from MS. Eeports which, along with plans, are in the possession of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. The diameter of the cairn was 40' and its elevation 12'. In the centre was found a square chamber built of rubble-work, with two upright flagstones set in each corner. The floor consisted of five flagstones stretching right across from side to side. The width of the chamber was 4' 8". Its height from the floor to the top of the walls 8', and to the top of the debris 13'. Flagstones were found on the top laid in a slanting position to form a roof. On the floor in the SW. corner were found the unburnt remains of a human skeleton, the area on which it lay being marked off on the floor by an arc of grey boulders. The skull, as indicated by the fragment recovered, had been “ovoid” in form, with a cephalic index low in the mesocephalic group if not actually falling into the dolichocephalic category. The entrance to the chamber was from the S. through a doorway 4' 6" high and 1' 10" wide, which was walled up with walling 2' 9" thick. The passage was opened for a distance of 4' outwards. It w'as found to be well built and roofed, and its floor, paved with flagstones, was 8" lower in level than the floor of the chamber. The whole length of the passage was estimated at 15'. Beneath the flooring of the chamber was found a layer of broken stones about 4" deep resting on a bed of clay. In the debris near the top of the cairn were found the remains of another unburnt interment and pieces of a “clay jar or urn.” The roof of the chamber was removed when the excavation took place, and for it a covering of railway sleepers has been substituted. O.S.M., Caitil, xii. (“ Mound”). Visited, 9th September 1910. 10. Ghavibered Cairn {long), “ Smdairs Shean,” Stemster. —On the moor about 1^ m. NW. of Stemster House is a long cairn. It has been considerably pillaged for stones at both ends, and the horns, if such formerly existed, are not now visible. The cairn lies NNW. and SSE., expanding towards the latter direction. Its extreme length is 173'. At the NNW. end it measures some 33'in breadth and 3' 6" in height, while at the SSE. end its breadth is 63' and its height 7' to 8'. Some thirty years ago a short cist containing an unburnt interment was discovered just below the surface at the ESE. end.* O.S.M., Caith., xii. Visited, 9th September 1910. 11. Cairn, Sordale Hill, Stemster. —About ^ m. SSW. of Sinclair’s Shean, on the moor, is a low cairn which has been partially excavated. It has a diameter of about 32' and an elevation of 3'. O.S.M., Caitil, xii. (unnoted). Visited, 9th September 1910. 12. Chambered Cairn, “ Carney Hillock” Moss of Tain. —At the S. end of the Moss of Tain, and by the edge of the cultivated land to the * Information supplied by Mr A. Murray, Ground Officer, Stemster. indent nnd IliMorical Monuments — Caithness. Plate I.—“Stone Lnd” (No. 13). I’late II.—Dove-cot, Stenister House (No. 14). To face p. 5. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 5 Parish of Bower. N. of Bowermaddeu, is a cairn-like mound, somewhat oblong in form, lying with its longest axis NW. and SE. It measures 100' by 65', and near the eentre of its length it has an elevation of about 7'. Some 30' from the SE. end two large slabs set on end and slightly converging towards the E. protrude a few inches through the turf with which the mound is covered, while 40' from the NW. end stands another slab set at right angles to the longest axis, in rear of which is a circular depression suggesting the existence of a chamber. O.S.M., Caith., xii. (“ Mound ”). Visited, 19th September 1910. Miscellaneous. 13. Standing-Stone," Stone Lad ."—Situated at the side of a stone wall on the moorland, about 1 m. WSW. of Bower Church, is a high standing-stone (pi. I.) bearing the name of “ Stone Bud.” It measures 8' 6" in height above ground, 3' 8" in breadth at base, about o' in breadth near its upper extremity, and 1' 9" in thickness. It is set facing almost ENE. and WSW. Some 96' to the SSE. is a similar stone, lying prostrate, which seems to have stood in the same align¬ ment. It measures 8' 3" in length, 4' 10" in breadth at base, 3' 10" in breadth at its upper end, and 10" in thickness. Some 23' to the NW. of the upright stone is a small cairn, with a diameter of 26', which has been excavated. Its elevation is now about 1'. The erect standing-stone is frequently referred to in print, and the suggestion made that “ Lud ” is a corruption of “ Liot,” the name of one of the Orkney Earls who was mortally wounded in a battle with the Scots at Skida Mire, and is supposed to have been buried here, but there is no other warrant for the suggestion than the slight resemblance of the names. As no reference exists to the prostrate stone it has evidently been long in its present position. See Calder’s Caithness, p. 52; Stat. Acct., vii. p. 521. O.S.M., Caith., xii. Visited, 28th June 1910. 14. Dove-cot, Stemster House .—To the N. of Stemster House stands an old dove-cot (pi. II.) in a somewhat dilapidated condition. On plan it is a square of 17' 3". It has a span roof, and the gables are crow-stepped. In height it measures some 26' to the roof ridge. The walls inside axe lined with the usual stone nests and are about 3' in thickness. Foundations, Stemster. 15. In the SW. corner of the park immediately to the W. of Stemster policies are the indefinite foundations of a numl)er of circular buildings. Without excavation it is impossible to say to what age they belong. 16. Immediately in front of the dovecot at Stemster there have recently been discovered the foundations of a building. The plan is rectangular, measuring some 72' in length by 28' in breadth over all. The main axis is WNW and ESE. There has been an entrance through the WNW. wall at its W. end and other two entrances within 4' of each other through the ENE. wall. There is said to be a chamber 20' x 14' against the WNW. wall. There is no feature 6 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Bower. to show that this has been an ecclesiastical building as has been stated. See Eccles. Hist. Gaith., p. 334. O.S.M., Caith., xii. (unnoted). Visited, 9th September 1910. 17. liioins, Alterivall. —In the corner of a cultivated field on the N. side of a deep ditch running WNW. and ESE., and about ^ m. to the SW. of Ha’ of A.lterwall, are the partially excavated remains of a dry-built structure. The plan is now quite indefinite. The walls are about 5' in thickness, and the building has evidently been a small mediieval castle. A jug of hand-made pottery formed from red clay, with a handle at one side, flat bottomed, and with a slight constriction at the neck, was found in fragments in the ruin. It has been re¬ constructed, measures 8" in height, and is in the possession of Mr John Nicolson, Nybster. O.S.M., Caith., xiii. Visited, 19th September 1910. Sites. 18. Broch, Gamster, Bower. —About 120 yards NNW. of Camster farm, situated in a cultivated field, is a low mound surrounded by a trench, probably the site of a broch. It is now regularly under cultivation and much ploughed down. The ditch has been about 40' wide, and the diameter of the mound is about 150'. 19. Broch, Bowertower. —In a cultivated field, some 200 yards SW. of the farm of Mains of Bowertower, are ruins beneath a mound which may possibly be those of a broch. Much of the mound has been removed and the outline is quite indefinite. O.S.M., Caith., xii. (unnoted). Visited, 28th June 1910. 20. Garni, Stemster.- —Some 50 yards W. of one of the crofts at Stemster, and about 1^ m. NW. of Stemster House, is a mound on a natural ridge which appears to be the remains of a cairn. One large slab, some 5' in length and 6" to 8" in thickness, protrudes from the back of a hollow caused by the removal of the' stones. Skeletal remains are said to have been found here. O.S.M., Caith., xii. (“ Mound ”). Visited, 9th September 1910. The O.S. maps indicate sites as under:— 21. “ Kirk” at Kirk, O.S.M., Caith., xix. 22. Broch, Ha’ of Bowermadden. —This broch was trenched over by the farmer after it had been for many years used as a quarry. No plan of the structure could be made out. The central area was roughly estimated as about 30' in diameter, and near the centre there was a well with twelve or fourteen steps leading down to it. This the farmer filled up. There were recovered a number of deer horns, cut and sawn; two circular stone balls about 3" in diameter; a small mortar; a neatly shaped oval vessel of red sandstone, measuring interiorly 4"x 3"x 3", with sides worked round at the lip, about If' thick, the whole blackened externally by fire and split lengthwise; a disc of red sandstone 7" diameter, and 2" thick, with a hole of about If' through the centre; two spindle whorls of stone, well INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 7 Parish of Bower. finished, and rubbed smooth, one having a false boring in the middle; a very small and neatly fashioned comb of bone, with an open semi¬ circular handle; a bead of blue vitreous paste, enamelled with a yellow spiral ornament on three sides; and a very neatly fashioned bronze pin 3" long, having an annular head, with ribbed ornamenta¬ tion on the upper part set on a short I’ectangular projection from the stalk. Several large stone vessels, or vats, one of which was 3' deep, were also found. Most of these objects are preserved in the National Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh. See Archceologia Scotica, v,, part i. p. 143; Antiquaries, ix. p. 247 (pin ilius.). O.S.M., Caith., xii. PAKISH OF CANISBAY. Ecclesiastical Structures. 23. Ca7iisbay Clmrch .—This church (fig. 2) is situated on the N. coast, some 2 m. W. of John o’ Groat’s. Being entirely covered with harling, and the architectural details few, the date of its erection is somewhat difficult to determine. Further, it has undergone altera¬ tion at various periods, particularly in the 18th century, as evidenced by the dates 1720 and 1724 on the skew puts of the nave and S. transept respectively. It also received very extensive repairs in 1832-33, as well as in recent years. There are indications, notwith¬ standing, that the original structure dates from before the Eeforma- tion, and probably from the 15th century. The plan discloses an affinity to that of many other churches in Scotland of this period and earlier. It is an oblong structure, measuring some 84' x 24', with S. and N. transepts (the latter, however, of later date), and a tower in the centre of the W. front. This tower is the feature most indicative of pre-Eeformation date. It is an absolutely plain structure, unrelieved by mouldings or string courses, with a few small windows at the bell chamber in the roof. The roof is of the saddle-back type, running as usual in line with the roof of the church. The tower measures 14' G" square, with walls 2' 6" in thickness. 8 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Canisbay. There is no stair, access being obtained to the bell chamber by a door within the church roof, after the manner of some of the early towers in Scotland. The entrance doorway was in the S. wall and, as usual, towards the W. end, as will be seen on plan,* but has been obliterated, along with other features, in the course of the last altera¬ tions effected some twenty years ago. Most of the windows and door openings in the side walls are square-lintelled, a common feature in small pre-Eeformation churches, reserving openings of a pointed form for the gables. The church was apparently dedicated to St Drostan. See Origines, ii., pt. ii. p. 792. Sepulchral Monuments. 24. In the S. transept there are the remains of a good monument in the Eenaissance style of the late 17th century. It consists of four fluted Corinthian pillars resting on a base, of which two pillars are arranged at the ends, leaving a space for an inscription. All this, with the carving, is much defaced, and the inscription is gone, as also all of the monument that originally existed above the pillars. The remaining portion measures T 6" in width by 6' 6" in height. It is difficult to account for the condition of the monument, seeing that it is within the church and under cover. 25. Set into the S. wall of the S. transept of the church, on the outside, is a slab commemorating various members of the Groat family. The slab (pi. III.) is of red sandstone, and measures 6' 4" in lengtli, 2' 7" in breadth, and 4" in thickness. On its surface is carved a plain Latin cross set on a stepped base, with a shield bearing a merchant’s mark higher up on the stone. Around the slab runs an inscription in quaint lettering carved in relief, and in part difficult to decipher. It commences near the base of the cross on the left, and may be read as follows:— DONALD GROT SONE TO JHONE GROT LAID ME HEIR APRLL XlII DAY 1568 M D.L. LCWYS f AND DONOLALD GROT JHONE GROT AND HIS GONAIELD LAD AND THAAR FAORBARS OF DONALD WHOUSE GOD CALD ME YE XIII DAY OF APRLL ANNO DOMINY M.D.L. 1568. The lettering on the base of the cross seems to read amiorale, possibly intended for A memorial. The slab was found under the floor of the church in 1894, and has probably been recut. See Scottish Antiquary, viii. pp. 52 (illus.), 162; ibid., ix. p. 35. A number of interesting old tombstones are exposed in the surrounding graveyard. 26. Some 50' S. of the E. end of the church is a flat slab bearing a plain Latin cross on a stepped base. The cross measures in extreme length 3' 9^", and in breadth V 8". Above the cross is a * The Commissioners are indebted to Mr Hippolyte J. Blanc, R.S.A., F.R.I.B.A., for the sketch of this church, made before the last alterations in 1891. t ? likewise. Ancient and Hidorical Motiuincnts — Caithnetss. To face p. 8 . 3 .I iicit'nt aiKtlHif^torical Moiiumcuts — Gaithiiess. To face p. 9, Plate IV.—Barrogill Castle (No. 31). INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 9 Parish of Canisbay. shield charged with three open crowns (1 and 2) between the initials F.G. Around the edge of the stone runs the following inscription, in relief:— HEIR LIES FINDLAY GROT IN DUNCA(n)SBY QUHA DEPARITT 18 DAY OF MAH 1601. SPES ALTERA VITE. There is also cut on the stone in incised lettering the initials dg and EG with the date 1789. 27. Against the S. wall of the graveyard there has been erected a slab inscribed to the memory of the Kev. Mr Andrew Ogstoun, Minister at Canisbay, who died 31st March 1620, at the age of 83. The inscription has been recently recut. 28. A slab lying S. of the E. end of the church, measuring 9' 4" in length by 2' 1" in breadth, shows at the upper end a shield bearing impaled arms :—Dexter, a stag’s head cabossed: Sinister, in chief a three-masted ship; beneath, three salmon naiant, and in dexter base a hand appaume: on a panel below, the initials as. mm. The lower half of the stone contains, carved in high relief within a frame, the usual emblems of mortality — a skull and cross-bones, spade and shovel, two coffins, two hand-bells and an hour-glass. The inscription, which was round the edge of the stone, is now effaced. 29. Beneath an arch in the S. wall of the graveyard is erected a slab bearing the following inscription in incised letters:— HEIR RESTS THE DUST OF MR JAMES INNES SOMETYME OR 37 YEARS MINISTER OF CANASBAY WHO LEFT HIS BODI THE 24 DAY OF DECEMBER IN THE YEAR OF GRACE 1704 AND OF HIS AGE 67 ; followed by a verse from Holy Writ. At the base of the stone within a panel are the initials i^H. and IM., along with the date 1705. Be¬ neath this are two shields bearing arms, viz., Dexter, three stars (2 and 1); Sinister, an eagle’s head erased. 30. Lying by the W. wall of the graveyard, some 40' to the SE. of the W. end of the church, is a slab measuring 5' 3" in length l)y 2' 2" in breadth. It is incised with the following inscription;— HEIR IS YE MONUMENT OF ISOB. MOUAT DOCHTER TO THE LAIRD OF BOGHOLLE LACY STANSTEL QUHA DEPARTIT YE 19 DAY OF MAII 1601 ; and bears between the letters i M an impaled shield. Dexter, three stars (1 and 2): Sinister, uncharged. O.S M. Caith., ii. Visited, 14th Sptember 1910. Castellated and Domestic Structures. 31. Barrogill Castle. —This castle (j)!. IV.), originally known as the Castle of Mey, is situated about 15 m. E. from 'Iliurso. It stands on rising ground sloping gently towards the Pentland Firth, distant about m. Above a plantation of stunted trees, so characteristic of the NE. coast, its turreted skyline rises with imposing effect. Considerable modern additions have been made to the building to render it 10 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Canisbay. suitable for present-day occupation, but the original plan (fig. 3, tinted black), can easily be made out, from its general resemblance to that of many of the 16th and 17th-century castles in Scotland. The passage on the ground floor leading to the cellars; and the vaulting of this floor in the main oblong building; the comparatively large staircase, with its higher vault; the jutting towers; the corbelled turrets; and other decorative details, are very characteristic of the period of the 16th century subsequent to the Eeformation, and the resemblance in plan to such a castle as Carnassery in Argyllshire, built just after that event, is quite obvious. Barrogill has, however, an additional tower, making it an example of the Z plan so frequent at that time. The principal entrance was from the courtyard through the NW. tower, in which was the original staircase. This is evident from the vaulted roof above the stair-landing on the first floor, and the commencement at that level of a new stair in an angle turret, features illustrated in numerous castles of the period, e.g., Notland Castle in Orkney, and Elcho Castle in Perthshire. Another stair, at the opposite end of the main building, rises straight from the basement to the first floor, beside the SE. tower, and thence is continued spirally within a rectangular turret to the top floor. This turret occupies the re-entering angle between the main building and the tower. Another entrance doorway through the S. front near this stair is probably not original. At some later period an outside staircase was made leading up to this latter door, as seen in fig. 2, which was superseded in the last century by a large porch, the out¬ line of which is shown on the ground plan. The kitchen occupies the E. end of the main building, and as a very large fireplace or ingle-neuk was required, the building was projected outwards about 6', thus accounting for the slight deviation from the usual outline of the Z plan. The fireplace was about 12' 6" in width by 6' in depth. The vents and chimneys of the kitchen and other rooms in the wing are carried up above the apex of the gable in building having almost the massiveness of a tower. The first floor contains the great hall, about 40' long by 18' wide, the private room entering off the same over the kitchen, and another room in the SW. tower; while the two upper floors are devoted to bedrooms. Most of the windows throughout the castle have been enlarged ; the fireplaces are mostly fitted with modern mantelpieces, although some made of wood may date from the 17th century. As seen from a distance, the turreted aspect of the castle is striking. In the view (1821) published in Eaniell’s Voyage, the lesser turrets are shown as terminating with pointed roofs, and only the large one on the SW. tower containing the stair from the upper floor to the roof is finished with an open crenellated parapet, whereas at the present day all of these have been brought to the latter condition. The corbelling of the small turrets is of the chequered character, so common at the period. The parapet of the large turret containing the stair is, however, supported on winged cherub heads as corbels, somewhat similar to those on Carberry Tower, Midlothian. In the S. wall of the basement of the tower in the interior, is a recess some 2' wide by 1' 6" deep, now bricked up at the top, which probably formed a hatchway from the room above. ANCIENT AND HISTORICAL MONUMENTS-CAITHNESS. .liicieiit and Historicai ^^OHumcnt.•< — Caithnei^)!. To face p. 11. Plate V.—Bucliolie Castle (No. 32). INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 11 Parish of Canisbay. The courtyard, measuring some 67'x42', is doubtless contem¬ poraneous with the castle, though the various offices against the walls may be of later date. The round arched entrance doorway is unaltered and is old. There are numerous horizontal gun-holes throughout the ground door, several in the angles of the tower and also on the first floor. In 1566, George, Fourth Earl of Caithness, acquired the barony of Mey from tlie Bishop of Caithness, and granted a charter in March 1572 to William Sinclair his second son, and the Z plan of the castle indicates the year of its erection as probably being between these two dates. Lithgow, the traveller, paid a visit to it on his way to Orkney in 1629, and has left a long grandiose description of the building and of his entertainment there— “ Yet with good lucke, in Februar, Saturnes prey Have I not sought, and found out Fruitfull May, Flank’d with the Marine Coast, prospective stands. Eight opposite to the Orcade lies and Lands; Where I for fioures, ingorg’d strong grapes of Spaine, And liquor’d French, both Red and White amaine; Which Pallace doth containe, two foure-squar’d Courts, Graft with brave Works, where th’ Art-drawne pensile sports On Hals, high Chambers, Galleries, office Bowres, Cells, Eoomes and Turrets, Plat-formes, stately Towres.” In Macfarlane’s Geogra 2 )hical Collections it is described (cw-ca 1726) as “ a good old building with a tower, . . . built by the Earle of Caithness 120 years ago, but is going to ruin.” Pennant refers to it as “ a beautiful strong castle belonging to Sir John Sinclair,” while the Statistical Account (1793) relates that “ Barrogil Castle is an old aristocratic pile, but renewing its age apace under the additions and embellishments it is daily receiving from its noble owner.” See Uaniell’s Voyage, v. (illus.); Caithness Family History, pp. xxiv. and 60 ; Lithgow, p. 434 ; Macfarlane’s Geog. Goll.,\. p. 152 ; Pennant’s Tour (1769), p. 352 ; Stat. Acet., viii. p. 164. O.S.M., Caith., ii. Visited, 2nd September 1910. 32. Bucholie Castle. —This castle (pi. V.) has been built on a peninsular rock about 100' in height, standing out of the ocean some 5 m. S. of Duncansby Head, and lying parallel with the shore. The rock is joined to the land by a narrow neck at its NAV'. angle, which • has been cut through by a trench some 7' wide, the bottom of which is about 9' below the level of the threshold of the entrance gate and must consequently have been spanned by a movable wooden bridge. The keep which rose from the outer edge of this trench has been of small dimensions, measuring some 14'x 20'over all. The W. wall, to a height of about 30', and a portion of the S. wall, alone remain. The walls at the basement are some 4' in thickness and above that on the sides only about 2' 6". The entrance passage, 4' 6'' wide, and one apartment to the S. of it, occupy the basement and are vaulted; the roof of the upper chaiftber has also been vaulted, while the inter¬ mediate fioor has been carried on joists. 'Ihe entrance passage pass- 12 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Canisbay. ing beyond the keep gave access to a courtyard which was long and narrow, and had buildings on each side of it (see ground-plan, fig. 4) ; these buildings are for the most part built with clay. A kitchen midden of great extent lies along the top of the cliff to seaward. In its defensive arrangements the castle somewhat resembles Girnigoe in having an entrance passage through the keep. It was formerly known as Freswick, and belonged to the family of . Mowat, who likewise owned the property of Bucholie, now called Hatton, near Turriff in Aberdeenshire. The date of their first connec¬ tion with Caithness is unknown, but one of the family had a charter of the lands of Freswick from King Kobert the Bruce. The estate remained in their possession until 1661, when it was sold to William Sinclair, of Eattar. See Pennant’s Tour (1769), p. 196 (illus. “Freswick Castle”); Pope’s Torfceus, p. 138; Arclmologia Scotica, v., pt. i. p. 161; .Anti¬ quaries, vii. p. 65; Caithness Family Historyi p. 173. O.S.M., Caith., viii. Visited, 5th July 1910. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 13 Parish of Canisbay. Defensive Constructions. 33. Broch, iVess.—This bvoch (Hg. 5), is situated at the landward end of a high promontory which runs out to sea for a distance of I Fio. 5.—Broch, Ness (No. 33); Ground-plan. about 80 yards and of which it occupies the neck about 25 yards wide. It was excavated by the late Sir Francis Tress Barry, and was described by Dr Joseph Anderson, from whose description the follow¬ ing details are mainly taken;—Across the neck there is a strong wall 1-+ HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Canisbay. about 6' high, with a depression in front of it, in which tliere is a well, now filled up, 9' 6" in depth, with twelve steps leading down to it and roofed with flags; the broch wall has largely gone. There appear to have been two entrances, one from the SW. now much broken down, and another from the E. or seaward. The latter is through a passage 15' 3" in length, 3' 8" in width at the exterior end, and 4' 4" at the interior. There has been a guard-chamber on the left at about 6' 4" from the outer end, the entrance to which is broken down. There are no signs of door checks, but a sill projects from the floor of the passage opposite the outer edge of the entrance to the guard-chamber. At 5' back from the right wall of the entrance passage, near the middle of its length, is the back wall of a chamber 4' 6" wide, now of indefinite length. Within this chamber were found two ingots of bronze 4" and 6" in length, several moulds for casting ingots, and two links of a slender chain of bronze. The interior diameter of the broch is 22'. There are remains of out¬ buildings on both sides, but those to landward are more extensive and better preserved, and seem to have been continuous with chambers now cut off by a narrow ravine on the N. One of these chambers has a tank-like construction of slabs in the floor, and off the chamber is a recess 9' in length by 6' in width. See Antiquaries, xxxv. p. 143. 34. Broch, Freswick Links .—Situated among the sand-hills about m. N. of Freswick House, is a broch (fig. 6) the foundations of which Fig. 6.—Broch, Freswick Links (No. 34); Ground-plan. rest on the pure sand. It was excavated by the late Sir Francis Tress Barry, and described by Dr Joseph Anderson, but it is now in a very ruinous condition and its features largely obscured by sand and debris. On excavation the broch wall was found to be 11' 6" thick, with a INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 1.5 Parish of Canisbay. scarcement 12" to 18" wide on the inside ; it enclosed an interior area 32' 8" in diameter. The wall wtis for the greater part of its extent about 7' high, but was partly broken down on the W. side where the original entrance probably had been. Facing NE. is still visible the entrance passage by the foot of the stair, 2' 9" wide, beside which there was a chamber. Fourteen steps of the stair remained, passing up to the left from the entrance passage as entered from the exterior, the steps growing narrower from 3' 10" in width at the bottom step to 2' 6" at the highest. At a distance of 17' round to the left from the inner end of the entrance passage was the opening to a chamber in the thickness of the wall, now ruinous. This entrance was 2' 3" in width, and 4' in height, and gave access to an oblong chamber 12' in length, 4' in width, and nearly 7' in height. Directly opposite the entrance in the interior is also the entrance, 2' 9" wide, to a chamber not now measurable. Two curved walls of secondary construction roughly divided the interior area into segments. There were found in this broch the cup-marked stone now at Nybster (No. 576 (1)), an oval vessel of sandstone with a rudely hollowed cavity measuring 6" by 4", and several quern stones. See Antiquaries, xxxv. p. 143. 35. Broch, Skirza Head .—This broch was also excavated by the late Sir Francis Tress Barry and described by Dr Joseph Anderson. It is situated on the promontory of Skirza, some 3 m. S. of Duncansby Head. Like the brochs of Nybster and Ness, it occupies the neck of the promontory and is cut off from the land by a ditch some 30' wide. The broch has had a circular wall some 14' in thickness enclosing an area 22' in diameter. On the N. side, where part of the wall has fallen over the cliff, there is a scarcement on the interior about 2' 9" wide at its widest part. The entrance passage is from the seaward end of the promontory. It is 14' in length, 3' in width at the exterior end, and has cheeks for a door at 8' inwards. Within these it expands some 6" on either side and thereafter narrows to about 3' at the inner end. The wall in the interior is considerably broken down, but still maintains for a short distance a height of about 5'. At a distance of 16' round the wall in the interior to the left of the main entrance is the entrance to the stair in the thickness of the wall 2' 7" wide, with a small chamber opposite the stair foot. Only two steps of the stair remained when excavated and these are not now visible. On the right of the entrance to the stair in the interior court is a tank-like construction sunk in the floor 3' 8" long, 1' 9" broad, and 2' deep, covered with slabs, and adjacent on the N. is another of similar dimensions. In the centre of the iiiterior area was a hearth covered with ashes. The wall on the exterior is now about 2' in height. As well as a portion of the broch wall, a part of the outbuilding has also fallen over the cliff forming the N. side of the promontory. On the seaward side of the broch, to the S. of the entrance, is an irregularly shaped chamber or well, measuring across the top some 10'x 7' and some 10' in depth, with a drain leading into it from the S. This well¬ like cavity still retains water. In one of the outbuildings on the right of the entrance was found a palmated horn of the true elk now pre¬ served in the National Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh. There were 16 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Canisbay. also found quern stones, several tiat circular discs of slaty stone, and a number of pounders—oblong pebbles wasted at the ends by use. Above the cliffs on the S. side of the geo which flanks the promontory on which the broch stands, and at the landward end, is a group of stones—some square in section, some oblong—extending over an area of about 25' x 16'. These appear to be the remains of four rows roughly set in alignment some 3' to 4' apart. The stones vary in breadth from 1' to 2', projecting about the same extent above ground, and are from 2' 5" to 4' apart. Their object is not apparent. See Antiquaries, xxxv. p. 144. 36. Broch, Evcrley, Tofts of Freswich. —This broch, which is situated on the E. side of the high road to John o’ Groat’s, about 1 m. to the NNW. of Freswick House, was also excavated by the late Sir Francis Tress Barry; since then it has been much quarried into and in great measure removed. The entrance has been from the WSW. but the passage walls are now gone. The interior diameter is 29', and the thickness of the wall 15' 6". No chambers are visible. The out¬ buildings were not excavated. The relics recovered included quern stones and grain-rubbers, and a small piece of Ist-century Samian ware (Dragendorff, type 29) ; also a portion of the rim of a Eoman glass vessel. These objects are preserved in the National Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh. See Antiqimries, xxxv. p. 139. O.S.M., Caith., viii. Visited, 5th July 1910. 37. Broch, Brahstcrmire. —About 150 yards SSE. of the crofts at Brabstermire occupied by Mr A. Sinclair, and some ^ m. SSW. of the farm of Thomsonsfield, is a mound under cultivation containing the remains of a broch. Its dimensions are unobtainable. The mound was very partially excavated by Mr John Nicolson, Nybster, and from it were recovered a rotary quern ; three water-worn stones, probably loom weights, some 6" in length, each with a groove cut around at one end, seemingly for attachment of a cord; and a diminutive cup, or hollowed pebble, some 2f" in length by 2" in breadth and f" in thickness. The cup is some in depth and f" in thickness. With the exception of one of the loom weights, which is in the National Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh, these objects are in the possession of Mr Sinclair. O.S.M., Caith., vii. (“ Mound ”). Visited, 14th September 1910. 38. Broch, Scoolary. —Some 30 yards NW. of the upper of the two crofts at Scoolary is a low artificial mound which has been long under cultivation. It appears to cover the ruins of a broch, the wall of which is encountered when the area is ploughed. O.S.M., Caith., vii. Visited, 19th September 1910. 39. Broch (supposed), Hollandmey. —At the edge of a cultivated field, under crop at the date of visit, and about 300 yards N. of the farm of Hollandmey, is a low mound of indefinite measurements believed to contain the remains of a broch. Some slight excavation was done in it by Mr John Nicolson, Nybster, and a small bone ring was recovered. O.S.M., Caith., vii. (unnoted). Visited, 14th September 1910. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 17 Parish of Canisbay. 40. Fort, St John's Point. —Across the landward end of the promontory of St John’s Point from cliff to cliff has been dug a deep trench some 50' in breadth, with a rampart some 10' in height along the seaward side and a low mound crowning the counterscarp to landward. The rampart has probably borne a wall along its crest on the line of the present modern dyke, as a small portion of an ancient wall is visible beneath the latter near the W. end of the defence. Some 50' from the western extremity of tlie rampart there appears to have been an entrance, 'fhe area cut off by this fosse is some 10 acres in extent. Within it, and in the vicinity of the supposed site of the chapel (No. 56), is elevated ground which is possibly an artificial mound. O.S.M., Caith., ii. Visited, 14th September 1910. Sepulchral Constructions. 41. Cairn, Warth Hill .—Crowning the summit of the Warth Hill, a conspicuous eminence 2 m. to the S. of John o’ Groat’s Hotel, is a large cairn, now considerably dilapidated, with a diameter of some 57'. On the S., along the outer edge, are exposed a numbar of large blocks of stone, nearly contiguous, laid on their sides, measuring from 2' to 4' in length and 1' to 1' 6" in height; and some 6' in from the edge, placed apparently concentrically with it, are a number of large stones set point upwards. Those settings of stones are not visible on the N. side. Some 17' in from the edge on the S. there has been exposed a rectangular cist. This cairn was excavated by Dr Joseph Anderson about forty years ago. He discovered a stone cist lying E. and W. 3|' long, 2' 4" wide, and 1' 9" deep. It was covered by a very large irregularly shaped slab. The bottom of the cist and sides had been roughly dressed to fit, and an oblong water- rolled stone, which had been evidently used for that purpose, lay on the covering slab. Within the cist were traces of an unburnt skeleton, but neither pottery nor implements. Many years previously another cist had been exposed, measuring 4-y in length, 2' 3" in width, and 1' 8" in depth. It also contained a skeleton. See Antiquaries, ix. p. 294. O.S.M., Caith., viii. Visited, 5th July 1910- 42. Chamhered Cairn, Island of Stroma. —About 100 yards SW. of the lighthouse, at the N. end of the island of Stroma, is a cairn which has been partially excavated, and which appears to have contained a chamber, now ruined. In diameter it measures some 52', and in elevation 5'. Near the centre is exposed a slab 8' 6" in length, lying on its edge, in direction N. and S., while 3' to the E. and 1' 6" to the W. respectively lie shorter slabs set parallel. O.S.M., Caith., iiih Visited, 17th September 1910. 43. Cairn {supposed), Mell Head, Island of Stroma .—At the land¬ ward end of the promontory of Mell Head, and on the N. side, a deep chasm known as the Giddy Geo extends southward for a distance of about 120 yards. Immediately to the E. of this, at the seaward end. 18 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish or Canisbay. is a low stony mound which is probably a cairn. It measures 25' in diameter and 2' in elevation. O.S.M., Caith., iP. (unnotedl Visited, 17th September 1910. Miscellaneous. 44. Moiind, “ Cairn o’ Meyl’ Barrogill. —In a cultivated field, about I m. AVSW. of Barrogill Castle, is a low mound lying N. and S., measuring some 50' x 27' in diameter and 2' to 3' in elevation. The level in the field adjacent indicates that it is a remnant of a larger construction which has been ploughed down. Its character is quite indeterminate without excavation. O.S.M., Caith., ii. (“Brough”). Visited, 2nd September 1910. 45. Sgarbach, Auckingill .—On the shore, about m. E. of Auckingill school, is a high cliff promontory of a curved form bearing the name of Sgarbach (pi. VI.). The landward end is crossed by a well constructed wall of dry masonry, some 62' in length, 12' 6" in thickness, and, near the middle of its course, some 4' in height. It runs from the edge of a deep ravine on one side to the cliff on the other. Somewhat to the E. of the centre this wall is pierced by a passage leading directly through it, and 3' 2" in width at the outer end. At 6' 8" inwards on the right (the left side is broken down) is a rebate for a door faced with a slab 6" thick, set edgewise in the wall, the passage in rear of it widening to 4' 9". Across the passage, in front of the door check, projects a sill 8" in height. Behind the rebate a bar hole 8" square passes for a distance of at least 3' 6" into the wall. At the inner end of the passage, and to the left, some 4' back from it, is an oval chamber measuring about 10'x 7'. In rear of the entrance was found a hearth defined with flags set on end, in which were ashes, food refuse, and fragments of pottery. A drain passes from the interior outwards below the floor of the entrance passage. This con¬ struction, the details of which are very indefinite, was also excavated by the late Sir Francis Tress Barry. O.S.M., Caith., xiv. Visited, 24th June 1910. 46. Standing-stone {remains of), Sgarbach, Auckingill. —Some 60 yards N. of the wall across the end of the Sgarbach is the base of a standing-stone broken over some fifty years ago. It is a schistose block 4' to 5' in width and 9" in thickness, facing NE. and SW. It has been exposed by digging for a height of about 2'. O.S.M., Caith., xiv. (unnoted). Visited, 24th June 1910. 47. Dove-cot, Freswick. —About 120 yards to the W. of Freswick House is an old circular or bell-shaped dove-cot, built in two stages, some 20' to 22' in height, and having an opening in the roof for the ingress and egress of the pigeons. From a height of 7' above the floor it is lined with stone nests. O.S.M., Caith., viii. (unnoted). Visited, 5th July 1910. 48. Kitchen Middens, Freswick Bay. —Stretching along Freswick Bay, about \ m. N. of Freswick House, at a spot known as the “ Lady’s Brow,” are several kitchen middens, from which bone indent and Historical Mounnients — Caithness. Platk \'I.—Sgarliach, Auckingill (No. 45), To face p. 18, INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 19 Parish of Canisbay. pins and numerous fragments of coarse undecprated pottery have been recovered. O.S.M., Caith., viii. (unnoted). Visited, 5th July 1910. 49. Ruins, Freswich Bay. —Situated about 200 yards SE. of the modern chapel at Freswick there have been exposed by excava¬ tion the ruins of a rectangular building with walls 4' thick, and showing traces of lime on its inner face. The entrance has been from the SE. through a doorway 2' 5" wide. Behind the door-jambs, near the centre of the thickness of the wall, are bar holes on either side. Lying all over the floor, which was paved, was found much iron slag. O.S.M., Caith., viii. (unnoted). Visited, 5th July 1910. 50. Burial Vault and Dove-cot, Island of Stroma. — Towards the E. end of the southern shore of the island of Stroma, on the top of a promontory I’ock, is situated a graveyard, and from the centre of it rises a rectangular structure (pi. VII.), now roofless, built with grey flags and pink sandstone quoins. It has been finished with an ordinary span roof, now gone. Tlie building measures exteriorly 25'X 18' 5", is formed of two storeys, and is some 22' in height. On the ground level, entered by a door in the W. wall which is 2' 6" thick, is a low vaulted chamber, evidently a burial vault. The vault is not continued to the floor, but rises from a ledge, 6" wide, at 2' above the ground level. There is a continuous bead-and-hollow jnoulding around the door. On the floor above the vault is a pigeon- house, entered by a door at the higher level in the E. wall. It is furnished with the usual stone nests. A stone at the S. side of the W. front of the building bears the date 1677 cut in relief. This is no doubt the vault referred to by the early travellers and writers, instancing a remarkable case of preservation of dead bodies by natural means. Pennant writes of Stioma as “ famous for its natural mummies, or the entire and uncorrupted bodies of persons who had been dead sixty years ”; and the Kev. Alex. Pope of Reay says; [in Stroma] “there is a vault where they bury, built by one Kennedy of Carnmuch. The coffins are laid on stools above ground: but tbe vault being on the sea edge, and the rapid tides of the Pentland Firth running by it, there is such a saltish air con¬ tinually as has converted the bodies into mummies.” Bishop Forbes, who visited Caithness in 1762, reiterates the tale, and goes on to relate that the body of Dr Kennedy, who built the vault, was to be seen there “ for many years, and would have been so still, “ had it not been for his son, Murdoch Kennedy, who played such “wretched tricks (0 facinus indignum! Referens tremisco!) on “ the Body of his Father, for the Diversion of Strangers, as in time “ broke it to pieces, and the Head was the part that fell first off. “ He used to place Strangers at his Father’s Feet, and by setting “ a Foot on one of his Father’s made tlie Body spring up speedily and “ salute them, which surprized them greatly. 'Then, after laying the “ body down again, he beat a march upon the Belly, which sounded “ equally loud with a Drum. William Sutherland of AVester “ particularly informed me that, about 40 years ago, he was in “ Murdoch’s House, the same built by ye Fayr, and with him went “ to the Burying-place, qre be witnessed him thus beating a march, 20 HISTOIUCAL MONUI\IENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Canisbay. “ and saw several other Bodies entire, particularly some Bodies of “ children hanging by Nails and Pins upon the walls like dried “ Haddocks, as he termed it. Wester’s son, a married man, told me “ that only about 12 years ago he was on Stroma, and saw there “ Dr Kennedy’s Body entire.” See Pennant’s Tour (1769), p. 197 and p. 353; Pococke’s Touts, p. 156; Calder’s Caithness, p. 19; Stat. Acct., viii. p. 165; Macfarlane’s Geog. Coll., i. p. 152; Forbes’ Journals, p. 206; Origines, ii., pt. ii. p. 793. O.S.M., Caith., iiD. Visited, 17th September 1910. 51. Mounds, Lochend. —About 1 m. E. of Lochend farm, on the slopes of the moorland, and stretching back from the top of the steep bank whicli has in former times been the margin of a lake, are various grassy mounds of low elevation and irregular surface. One of these beside the bank has a diameter of some 35' and appears to be the remains of a turf structure. About 100 yards ENE. is another, with a diameter of 45' and an elevation of 3' to 4'. Some 30 yards to the S. is a third, with a slight circular depression in the centre, measuring over all 40' x 38'. The true nature of these remains is not obvious. O.S.M., Caith., vii. (“Cairns”). Visited, 19th September 1910. Sites. 52. Broch, Auckingill. —About m. NNW. of Auckingill school is the site of a broch which has long been under cultivation and on which no remains are visible. O.S.M., Caith., xiv. (unnoted). Visited, 5th July 1910. 53. Broch, Gills. —About m. S. of the road from Mey to Canisbay church, and 100 yards E. of the road through the township of Gills, is a low mound under cultivation, which is evidently the site of a broch. It has been much quarried for stones. A rotary quern was found in it. O.S.M., Caith., ii. (unnoted). Visited, 14th September 1910. 54. Broch, Stenister. —The O.S. map indicates on the Greenhill to the E. of Steraster, and beside the burn, the supposed site of a fort. From information received in the district it is clearly the site of a broch, of which no measurable remains exist. O.S.M., Caith., viii. Visited, 5tb July 1910. 55. John o’ Groat’s House. —A mound, now marked by a flagstaff in front of the door of the hotel, is supposed to indicate the site of the original house. Excavation made in it a few years ago revealed the foundations of a rectangular building, but no signs of the octagonal structure traditionally stated to have been built by John o’ Groat. See Antiquaries, x. p. 673. O.S.M., Caith., hi. Visited, 5th July 1910. 56. St John’s Chapel. —At the landward end of St John’s point, toward the E. side of it, and partially traversed by a modern wall, is a foundation, some 32' in length but of indefinite breadth, said to be .l/icienf and 1 {idorical Moiiinnoits — Cdithiicsi^. Pi, ATE IX. — Caslle (No. 58). Tu fare p. 21 , INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 21 Parish of Canisbay. that of the chapel. In the interior two slabs protrude, which may have formed the ends of a long cist. The building is not correctly oriented, and its designation is doubtful. O.S. M. Caith., ii. Visited, 14th September 1910. 57. St Brostan’s Chafel, Bralstermire. —The site of this chapel, which was dedicated to St Drostan, lies on the W. side of the high road to the NW. of Brabstermire House. It was excavated, and showed a small building evidently of the chancelled type, but the ruins are now entirely covered up. See Eccles. Hist. Caith., p. 49. O.S.M., Caith., vii. (“St Eustan’s”). Visited, 14th September 1910. 58. Castle Mestag, Island of Stroma. —At the NW. end of Mell Head, some 12' to 15' out from the edge of the cliffs which fringe the shore, stands a stack, or detached perpendicular mass of rock. Occupying nearly the whole summit has been a small keep, now reduced to a few courses of masonry. Except by means of a bridge the position is inaccessible (Pis. VIII. and IX.). There appears to be no extant history of the structure, and its existence is merely referred to in the Statistical Account. See Stat. Acct., viii. p. 164. O.S.M., Caith., iP. Visited, 17th September 1910. 59. Cairn, Island of Stroma. —A slight elevation towards the S. end of the island bears the name of Cairn Hill, but no cairn remains on it. O.S. M., Caith., iiP. Visited, 17th September, 1910. 60. Bains, etc., Nethertown, Island of Stroma. —Half a mile down the E. coast from the N. end of the island, is a little harbour at the Geo of Nethertown. Beside the house occupied by Mr Smith, immediately to the S. of this harbour, are remains which are probably prehistoric. Some 20' to the S. of the house there protrude a few inches through the turf two slabs set on edge, parallel, and 3' apart, while 2' to the W. of the most northerly is another in alignment with it. It was stated that along the coast, towards the N., were many such cist-like settings of slabs, known as “ Piets’ beds,’’ but no others, except such as are here recorded, have been noted. On the N. side of the house, at the edge of the bank, are exposed the ruins of a structure in which upright slabs are visible, set parallel 2' 10" apart, with bones and shells intermingling with the debris. O.S.M., Caith., iii^ Visited, I7tli September 1910. PARISH OF DUN NET. Ecclesiastical Structures. 61. Dnnnet Church. —This cliurch (Rl. X.) is situated about 7 ni. E. from 'riiui’so and 31 m. S. from Dunnet Head, the most northerly point of Scotland. It bears a considerable resemblance to Canisbay church, situated some 8 m. further E., and is similar in size, measuring some 84'x30'. It has, however, no transepts. The barling which covers 22 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Dunnet. the whole exterior of church and tower obscures the style of masonry and evidence of the alterations, which have probably been effected in the windows and doors, as well as its few architectural details. The W. doorway in the N. wall has escaped alteration, except that it is built up. It is round-arched, with a broad splay continued down the jambs, and from its position and character it undoubtedly dates from pre-Eeformation times. In width it measures 2' 3", but its height is unascertainable owing to the raising of the churchyard level. The tower in the centre of the W. front measures 19' 4" from E. to W. by 20' 4" from N. to S., with walls 3' 6" to 4' in thickness, and is finished with a saddle-back roof in alignment with the church roof. It has square-headed windows in the gable of the bell chamber, with a few other small windows partly lighting the staircase, which projects into the tower at one corner. This staircase is an unaltered feature, and its construction and the style of its splayed doorways closely resemble those frequently found in castles and churches of the 16th and earlier centuries. It is an interesting fact that Timothy Pont, the well-known early geographer of Scotland, was the minister of this church during the first decade of the 17th century. See Origines, ii., pt. ii. p. 789. O.S.M., Caith., vi. Visited, 18th August 1910. Defensive Constructions. 62. Brocli, Scarfsherry. —On a short promontory rock, about J m. to the AV. of Scarfskerry Post Office, are the fragmentary remains of a structure, probably a broch. The building has occupied the whole of the outer end of the promontory now some 30' in breadth, but the crumbling away of the rock has considerably curtailed its dimensions. The whole is overgrown with grass and no part of the structure is visible. Across the landward end of the promontory a trench has been dug. O.S.M., Caith., ii. Visited, 14th September 1910. 63. Broch, Murza. —About I ESE. of Murza farm, in a field, is a mound which contains the ruins of a broch. (The ground being under crop at the date of visit no details were obtainable.) O.S.M., Caith., xiii. Visited, 19th September 1910. 64. Broch (supposed), Ha’ of Greenland. —About ^ m. SE. of the farm of Ha’ of Greenland, situated in the middle of a cultivated field, is an artificial mound much reduced by ploughing. There is no definite indication of its character, but it probably covers the remains of a broch. O.S.M., Caith., vi. (“ Mound ”). Visited, 19th September 1910. Earth-House. 65. Earth-house, Ham. —On the E. side of a small geo about m. NAV. of Ham harbour is an earth-house or chambered mound (fig. 7). A grassy mound some 62' in diameter and 6' in elevation is situated at the edge of the cliffs. At several places small excavations have been made in it disclosing its artificial character. Entering from S. by AV. Ancient and llixtorical Monanients — Caithness. Plate X. -DuniieL riiurcli (X^o. 01). Plate XI.—“Earl’s Cairn,” Hollandinaik (Xo. 72). To face p. HI INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 23 Parish of Dunnet. is the passage which has been opened out, leading to a chamber in the centre. The outer portion of the passage as originally exposed on excavation extended for a distance of some 14' beyond the present entrance, passing directly inwards for over 9' or 10', thereafter making a sharp turn to the left. Where now exposed it is built on each side and roofed with flags. In height it measures 3' and in -6 J Fccr Fig. 7. — Earth-house, Ham (No. 65); Ground-plan. width 2', and appears to pass along the original ground level. Curving slightly to the right it extends inwards for a distance of 13', increasing in height to 3' 10". In its course there are neither door checks nor bar holes. The chamber, into the end of which the passage opens, is oblong on plan and rounded at the back. It measures 14' 9" in length, 4' 10" in width at the entrance of the passage, and 5' 11" at its greatest width in the centre. The walls, which are dry-built, slightly converge upwards and are roofed with 24 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Dunnet. tiags. The greatest height in the centre from what appears to be the original floor level is 6' 6". In the end of the W. wall, where the curve of the back commences, about 3' above the present floor level, is a small recess or ambry measuring 1' in height, 1' 3" in breadth, and 1' 6" in depth. The floor, which is said to be paved, is covered with a deposit, nearly a foot in depth, of soil and food refuse which has not been examined. There is a hole some 2' to 3' square in the centre of the roof where the slabs have apparently fallen in. The top of the roof in the interior is some 1' 6" to 2' below the summit of the mound. At the extreme outer end of the entrance passage is an oval depression, measuring 27' x 14', which has not been excavated. This monument may possibly be the “ Piet’s House ” noted in 1760 by Bishop Pococke, who gives the following account of it:— “ I found two cells, three yards apart, and the mouth about a yard “ wide. The passage to one is destroyed, and, as I apprehended, “ two yards of the other. It is three yards into a bend, and then two “ yards more. The cell within is two yards wide and five yards long “in a sort of an oval, and at the entrance is a sett in of three- “ quarters of a yard, and on the other side it forms the narrow end “ of the oval, the sides are straight for a yard high, and set in for “ another yard to three-quarters of a yard in width at top, which is “ covered with Hags. There are two or threo small holes as convenient “ recesses. The other cell is only a yard and a half high. At the “ end is a hole, half a yard above the floor, about two feet six inches “ high, three feet long, and three feet broad, lessening by a set-in of “ three-quarters of a yard, and this was probably a chimney, as there “ seemed to have been an opening to the top. Both the cells and “ passages have without doubt been in some degree filled with earth, “ for it is with difficulty any one can get in by the passages, which “ are about a yard high.” If the places are identical, only one “ cell ” is now apparent. In the Statistical Account relating to the parish of Dunnet there is a description evidently of the same construction. Its external appearance is described as a “ beautiful green mount about 8 or 9 feet above the level of the adjacent field.” Two entrances to the “cells ” about 8' asunder are said to have led from two outer intercommunica¬ ting circular apartments of about 17' or 18' diameter. See Pococke’s Tours, p. 156; StcU. Acet., xi. p. 257. O.S.M., Caith., i. (“ Brough ”). Visited, 18th August 1910. Hut Circles and Associated Mounds. 66. Hut Circle, Linlcs of Greenland. —Some 40 yards to the N. of the mound No. 77 is a larger mound overgrown with bents, with a hollow depression in the centre. Over all the mound measures in diameter 55' from N. to S. by 66' from E. to W., and in elevation about 4'. The depression, which is probably the interior of a hut circle, measures some 30' in diameter. Erom it two or three thin slabs protrude through the surface. A number of shells of limpets, etc., have been turned up by the rabbits around the site. O.S.M., Caitii., vi. (“Cairn”). Visited, 23rd August 1910. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 25 Parish of Dunnet. 67. Hut Circle, do. —Some 200 yards ESE. of the last is another hut circle, with an interior diameter of 317 The entrance from the SE. is visible for a length of 6' 4", faced on either side with flags, and has a breadth of 2' 6". In the interior several thin slabs protrude set edgewise against the bank. The present thickness of the bank is from 13' to 14'. O.S.M., Caith., vi. (“ Cairn”). Visited, 23rd August 1910. 68. Hat Circle, Links of Dunnet. —At the S. end of a ridge of sand about I m. SSE. of Dunnet church is a large circular depression, around the edge of which stones are evident. It has an interior diameter^! about 36'. 69. Mounds, do. —Some 50 yards to the E. are three small conical stony mounds, each with a diameter of from 16' to 18' and an elevation of some 3'. One of them appears to have been dug into, but no cist is exposed. (O.S., “ Cairns.”) O.S.M., Caith., vi. Visited, 23rd August 1910. Sepulchral Constructions. 70. Killi Cairnf St John’s IjOcIi, Hunspow. —At Hunspow, by the N. end of St John’s Loch, are the remains of a small cairn measur¬ ing some 21' in diameter and 2' to 3' in elevation. It appears to have been excavated, and from the centre rises a single upright slab 2' 2" in height above ground by 3' 4" in breadth, which may have formed part of a cist. 0. S.M., Caith., i. Visited, 18th August 1910. 71. Cairns, Links of Greenland. —On the W. side of the road from Castletown to Dunnet and about 1] m. S. of Dunnet church are two small cairns close to one another. They measure some 32' in diameter and from 5' to 6' in elevation. Neither appears to have been excavated. O.S.M., Caith., vi. Visited, 23rd August 1910. 72. Chamhered Cairn, “ Earl’s Cairn,” Hollandmaik. —Situated in a grass park some 200 yards N. of the farm of Hollandmaik, is a circular chambered cairn (PI. XL), which was excavated by Sir Francis Tress Barry. It measures in diameter from 41' to 43' and in elevation about 6'. At the base are several large boulders, irregularly placed and evidently disturbed from their original positions, which appear to indicate that the base was outlined with such stones. The chamber, which is tripartite, is entered from the ESE. At 15' 6" inwards from the outer edge of the cairn two upright slabs mark the entrance to an outer rectangular compartment 2' 2'' in length and apparently some 4' 10" in width, but the destruction of one side has rendered the latter dimension indefinite. Between portal stones, one of which only remains, access has been gained to the central compartment, which is approximately circular, measuring 6' from back to front and 7' across. Tlie wall, for the most part built of thin slabs laid horizontally and corbelled out upwards, exists to a iieight of 3' 4". In the centre of the back is an opening 2' 9" in width between two upright slabs placed obliquely, giving access to the third compartment, a built 26 HISTORICAL IMONUBIENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Dunnet. semicircular recess 3' iu depth. Its height has been that of the two upright slabs which are at present 1' 10" above ground level, but the lintel which rested on them is broken and the roof of the recess is, in consequence, in a ruined state. Within the chamber were found “ two urns of dark blue clay, highly ornamented but in fragments,” also “ burned wood and ashes.” * O.S.M., Caith., vii. Visited, 19th September 1910. 73. Chambered Cairn (remains), Rattar .— Some 30' to the SW. of the mound (No. 75) there project from the turf the heads of three large slabs all facing N. and S., two in line and one a short distance to the rear opposite the space between the two slabs in front. These appear to be the remains of a chambered cairn. * 74. Cairn, Easter Head, Dunnet Head .—Situated about m. SE. of Easter Head, Dunnet Head, is a small cairn of low elevation with a diameter of 16' or thereby. A surveyor’s cairn has been erected on the top of it. O.S.M., Caith., i. Visited, 18th August 1910. Miscellaneous. 75. Mound, Rattar .—About \ m. N. of Eattar House, and a shoit distance to the N. of the site of a broch (No. 83), is a grassy mound, oval on plan. It lies NE. and SW., and measures in length and breadth 45' x 30', and in elevation 5'. It was partially opened by Mr John Nicolson, Nybster, who discovered a passage 4' deep by 2' wide, extending along it from the SW. end, faced with slabs set on end and covered by flat stones for lintels. There were found in this passage a stone pounder, two split bones, and a quantity of shells of edible molluscs. O.S.M., Caith., i. (“Tumuli”). Visited, 18th August 1910. 76. Do., do .—At the edge of the bank above the shelving rocks about m. NW. of Eattar House is a low mound which has been partially carried away. It has a diameter of 30' and an elevation of 1^' to 2'. Its character is not apparent. O.S.M., Caith., i. (“ Cairn”). Visited, 18th August 1910. 77. Mound, Links of Greenland .—On the S. side of a small burn which crosses the links about 1 m. S. of Dunnet church, and about 250 yards E. of the road from Castletown, is a conical sandy mound. In diameter it measures 33' and in elevation about 5'. From the top two thin slabs protrude 5' 8" apart, inclining towards each other at an angle of about 15'’-20°; and some 6' and 9' respectively towards the W., another pair in similar alignment are just visible about 5' distant from each other. The slabs are thin, and the construction does not appear to be a chambered cairn. O.S.M., Caith., vi. (“Cairn”). Visited, 23rd August 1910. 78. Mound, Dunnet .—Some f m. S. of Dunnet church, on the E. side of the road, is a high sandy mound with an elevation of 16' or 17', around the top of which much stone is visible but no * Information supplied by Mr John Nicolson, Nybster. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 27 Parish of Dunnet. structure exposed. The diameter of the area over which the ruin is apparent is about 46'. The character of the remains is quite indehnite. O.S.M., CAlTH.,vi. (“Cairn”). Visited, 23rd August 1910. Sites. 79. St John’s Chapel, St John’s Loch. —The site of St John’s Chapel is recognisable on a grassy knoll of slight elevation at the SE. end of St John’s Loch. The dimensions of the building are not ascertainable without excavation. O.S.M., Caith., vi. Visited, 14th September 1910. 80. Chapel, Ham. —At the corner of a field to the E. of Kerry Geo, Ham, are evidently the foundations of some structure which are said to be those of a chapel. O.S.M., Caith., i. Visited, 18th August 1910. 81. Chapel, Kirk o’ Banks, or Kirk o’ Tang. —The outlines on the turf marking the foundations of this chapel are clearly visible close beside the sea to the E. of the burn of Eattar. It appears to have been a chancelled building measuring interiorly about 32' x 12'. What appears to be the wall of the chancel occurs at 17' from the W. end. Close beside the kirk to seawards was found a small hoard of seven penannular armlets or bracelets of silver, of a form associated with the Viking times. Five of them are preserved in the National Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh, and the rest in the Thurso Museum. The circumstances of their discovery are fully recorded. See Antiquaries, ix. p. 424. O.S.M., Caith., ii. Visited, 18th August 1910. 82. Castle, Brough. —On the landward end of a long rocky promon¬ tory about \ m. N. of the E. end of the hamlet of Brough are the foundations of a castle. A trench some 40' wide and 10' to 12' deep has been dug across the neck and on either side of the rock; in rear of it has been a range of buildings separated by a narrow courtyard or passage. The keep is not recognisable. The promontory tails away seawards to a shelf of rock. There appears to be no history of this castle. O.S.M., Caith., i. Visited, 18th August 1910. 83. Broch, Rattar. —In a field about m. NNW. of Kattar House are the fragmentary remains of a large circular construction, the stones from which have been removed. It has probably been a broch. O.S.M., Caith., i. Visited, 18th August 1910. 84. Broch, Rattar Burn. —There are no visible remains of the broch which is indicated on the O.S. map as at the mouth of the Burn of Kattar. O.S.M., Caith., i. Visited, 14th September 1910. 85. Ruins, Greenvale. —On the farm of Greenvale, to the SE. of the farmhouse, about 120 yards E. of the cross-roads, and on the S. side of the road to Huna, is the site of a construction, recognised by the upright slabs, coming in contact with the plough. It has not been 28 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Halkirk. excavated and the character of the ruin is unknown. A bone weav¬ ing comb is said to have been found on the site. The O.S. map indicates that two stone cists containing human remains were found at the spot in 1872. O.S.M., Caith., vi. Visited, 14th September 1910. The O.S. maps indicate sites as under:— 86. Tumuli, near Ham. 0 S.M., Gaith., i. 87. Cliurch and Graveyard, Kirk Hillock, Reaster. 0 S.M., Caith., xiii. 88 . Chapel, Hunnet Head. —There is also the site of a chapel about I m. N. by W. of the W. end of the Loch of Bushta, Dunnet Head. The adjacent ground bears the name of “ Chapel Hill,” and the inlet of the sea on the W. is known as “ Chapel Geo.” See Eccles. Hist. Caith., p. 46. O.S.M., Caith., i. PARISH OF HALKIRK. Ecclesiastical Structures. 89. St Magnus' Chapel, Spital. —Some 250 yards NW. of the farm of Spital Mains are the ruins of the Chapel of St Magnus. The building is in a very ruinous condition. Interiorly it has measured some 65' x 19', with walls some 3' 4" in thickness. The E. gable still stands to a height of about 12 ', and the side walls average 6 ' to 8 ' in height. At the E. end of the K. wall is a round-arched recess rising from the floor, 6 ' across its base by T 9" in depth. The entrance has been through the S. wall near its W. end. There are no decorative features visible. The interior is overgrown with nettles, and the adjoining graveyard, long used as a burial-place by the Clan Gunn, is in a neglected condition. The chapel is said to have been originally attached to the hospital of St Magnus. The earliest reference to the hospital appears to be contained in a charter of 1476 by James III. to William Sinclair, son of William, Earl of Caithness. See Origines, ii., pt. ii. p. 757 ; Stat. Acct., xix. p. 44. O.S.M., Caith., xviii. Visited, 20th June 1910. 90. “ Gavins Kirk” Horrery .—About ^ m. S.E. of Dorrery Lodge, and within an enclosed graveyard, are the ruins of a small chapel. It has consisted of a nave and chancel, the former measuring 15'x 12'. and the latter 8'x7'. The total length of the interior has been 27' and the thickness of the outer walls 3' 6 ". The greatest height of wall remaining is about 3'. The chapel was known as “ Gavin’s Kirk.” See Pennant’s Tour (1769), App., p. 351. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. Visited, 9th August 1910. 91. St Thomas’ Chapel, Skinnet. —Situated about - 3 - m. to the NE. of Skinnet farm, and about 4 m. S. of Thurso, are the ruins of the Chapel of St Thomas. In pre-Reformation times this was the church INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 29 Parish of Halkirk. of a parish subsequently united to the parish of St Fergus of Halkirk. The S. and W. walls vary in height from 3' to 7'; the N. wall is reduced to 2' or 3', as is also the greater part of the E. wall. In plan the building has been of the chancelled type, measuring interiorly 59' 6" in length—whereof the nave measured 38'xl6' and the chancel about 21'xl3', the diminution of the width being caused by an intake of the N. wall only. The walls, which have been built with clay for mortar, are 3' 6" in thickness. The entrance to the nave has been through the S. wall at 12' from the SW. corner and has been 3' in width, while an entrance to the chancel near its W. end has also been through the S. wall. In the S. wall of the nave have been two small oblong windows 1' 9" in height by T' in width, passing straight through the wall for 1' 2" and immediately widening thereafter to 3'. A similar window has existed in the S. wall of the chancel. 92. At the British Linen Bank House, Thurso, there is a rough ovoid stone measuring 1' 6" x 1' 3", with a hollow basin 8" x 9" in diameter and 7" in depth, which was brought from the chapel and may have been a holy-water stoup of rude workmanship. See Origines, ii., pt. ii. p. 756 ; Stat. Acct., xix. p. 47. Sculptured Stones. 93. Standing some 6' out from the S. wall of the chapel and Fig. 8.—Celtic Cross, Skimiet (No. 93). towards the W. end of it, is an upright slab (fig. 8) measuring 4' 11" in height above ground, 2' 9" in breadth, and 5" in tliickness. On the 30 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. L’aiush of Halkirk. W. face are the remains of an equal-limbed Celtic cross, with a central boss 2^' in diameter from which the arms radiate. Only the upper arm remains at all perfect, the rest of the cross being almost effaced owing to the flaking of the surface of the stone. This arm expands upwards, and is 1' in length and 1' 3i" broad at its outer end where it is convex in outline. It is surrounded by a single moulding, and contains a triquetra knot of interlaced ornament. At the point of intersection it is 2" in width. Another sculptured stone taken from the wall of this chapel, in which it had been used as building material, lies in the museum at Thurso, and is afterwards described (see No. 445). O.S.M., Caith., xi. Visited, 13th August 1910. Castellated and Domestic Structures. 94. Dirlot Castle .—Some 2 m. due S. of Westerdale are situated the ruins of Dirlot Castle. Between the old bank of the Thurso Eiver and the present bed of the stream lies a small haugh or un¬ enclosed meadow, from one end of which, close by a deep pool of dark water, rises an isolated rock to a height of some 30'. On all sides it is steep, and the summit difficult of access. At the N. end of this rock are the ruins of the castle, now some 3' to 4' in height, with walls 6' 6" in thickness. The keep has been very small, measuring interiorly only some 18'x 10', and has been of the usual rectangular form, occupying the full extent of the N. end of the rock. The S. portion of the summit, measuring some 40' x 24', has formed a court¬ yard, around which the remains of a parapet are visible. Some 30' out from the base of the rock on the side away from the river are the remains of a stony rampart or wall about 6' in height. In the 15th century Dirlot belonged to a family of Sutherlands. Being concerned in the slaughter of one Alexander Dunbar, Alexander Sutherland was declared rebel, and having been captured and brought to the King, was executed. For effecting the capture and trans¬ porting the rebel to the King, Odo alias Y Makky in Strathnaver received a Crown Charter of, inter alia, the lands of Dilred dated 4 November 1499. See Cordiner’s Antiquities, p. 83, pi. xviii.; Gordon’s Earldom of Sutherlaiul, p. 80; Calder’s Caithness, p. 99; Beg. Mag. Sig. O.S.M., Caith., xxii. Visited, 4th August 1910. 95. Braal Castle .—The ruins of Braal Castle are situated in rear of the present mansion, on the N. bank of the Thurso Eiver and about m. NE. of Halkirk. The tower is a rectangular rubble-built structure, measuring externally some 35' x 37', and existing to the level of the top of the second storey. The battlements and distinctive features of the roof have, however, all disappeared. The walls are from 8' to 10' in thickness. The entrance door is on the first floor level through the SW. angle, and just within it the staircase rises to the right in the thickness of the wall. The basement, which measures interiorly 20' 9"xl8', has not been vaulted; has had no external door; and has been lighted by two narrow vertical loop-holes. On the first floor are deep broad window recesses in the N. and W. walls Aiicieiii mill Ifiston'rul Moiiumeiits — Caithiiesf:. Plate XII.—Window-recess in Braal‘Castle (No. 95). Plate XIII.—Brocli, Acliies (No. 98). To face p. 31 INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS, 31 Parish of Halkirk. (see pi. XII.). They are arched, and furnished with stone seats, and measure 6' in width, 6' 3" in depth, and 8' 2" in height. In the E. wall are a fireplace and garde-robe, and there is a closet in the SW. angle. The floors have all fallen. The corbels of the first floor exist along one half of the S. wall and are exceedingly broad, forming a pavement 3' to 4' across. The castle probably dates from the 14th century. In 1375 or 1376 King Kobert II. granted to his son David Stewart, created in 1371 Earl Palatine of Stratherne, the Castle of Brathwell and all the lands thereof, inherited by Alexander of Ard in right of his mother Matilda of Stratherne, and resigned by him. In 1452, King James II. granted the lands of Brathwele to Admiral Sir George Crechtoun of Carnis, on the resignation of Sir James Crechtoun of Frendraucht and his wife. In 1547 the castle was in the posses¬ sion of George, Earl of Caithness, who, along with several others, had a remission from Queen Mary for taking the Castle of Ackergill and for forcibly confining Alexander Keith, the Captain, and John Skarlet, his servitor, in the place of Girnigo, Brawl, and other places. The modern house adjoining the ruin was erected in 1856 on the vaults of an earlier mansion whose construction had not proceeded further. See Gad. and Bom. Arch., iii. p. 137 (plan); Cordiner’s Antiqaities, p. 82 ; Origines, ii., pt. ii. p. 759; Ne-w Stat. Acct. Suth., etc., xv. p. 70. O.S.M., Caith., xi. Visited, 7th September 1910. Defensive Constructions. 96. Brock, Mybster .—About ^ m. W. of Mybster Inn, on the S. side of the road to Westerdale, is a large grass-covered mound in the corner of a field, concealing the remains of a broch. From E. to W. it measures 135'in diameter, and from N. to S. 123'. Its elevation is about 12'. The mound has been considerably broken into and much of it removed from the NE. side. O.S.M., Caith., xxiii. Visited, 16th June 1910. 97. Broch, Achies. —Some 200 yards ESE. of Achies farm a grass- covered hillock rises from a cultivated field. Its diameter from N. to S. is 90', and from E. to W. 80'. A considerable part of the mound has been removed from the E. side. Its greatest elevation from the general surrounding level is about 8'. The exposed building and depressions on the summit suggest that this is a broch. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. Visited, 23rd June 1910. 98. Broch, do .—To the NW. of Achanarras Hill, and some ^ m. NE. of Achies farm buildings, is a large grassy mound covering the ruins of a broch (pi. XIII.). Over all it measures about 150' in diameter, and 12' to 14' in greatest elevation. Above a steep scarp, some 6' to 8' higher than the field level, a terrace varying from 12' to 20' in breadth encircles the mound, leaving an elevated area in tlie centre with a diameter of about 76'. On the summit of this is a circular depression with a diameter of about 28' and a depth of about 5'. The mound has been, to a small extent, dug into from the SE. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. (“Mound”). Visited, 20th June 1910. 32 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. rARiSH OF Halkirk. 99. Broch, Acha.narms .—To the N. of Aclianarras farm steading, and bounding the midden, are the remains of a broch The grassy mound which represents the ruin is some 25' in diameter and 4' in elevation. O.S.M., Caitil, xvii. (“ Mound ”). Visited, 20tli June 1910. 100. Broch, Spital .—About I m. SE. of the farm of Spital Mains a grassy mound rising from an arable field conceals the ruins of a broch. Its extent has been much reduced, and it now measures some 60' in diameter from E. to W. by 40' from N. to S. and 6' to 8' in heiglit. A trench has been dug through it towards the E. end, exposing two jambs covered by a lintel, probably a portion of the entrance passage. (O.S. “Eairy Hillock.”) 101. Broch, do .—Some 250 yards E. of the farm are the remains of a grassy mound which has evidently covered a broch. Some two- thirds of it have been carted away, and the remains are now un¬ important. (O.S. “Torr an Fhidhlier.”) O.S M., Caith., xviii. Visited, 20th June 1910. 102. Broch, Achlochctn Moss .—At the S. end of Achlochan Moss, and about -1 m. ESE. of Dale farm, a grass-covered circular mound, in form of a ring, marks the remains of a broch. The diameter over all from E. to W. is some 69', and from N. to S. 74', and the elevation varies from 4' to 6'. The interior measures some 35' across, and is from 4' to 5' deep. Certain depressions on the top of the enclosing mound may indicate the positions of chambers. There are no indications of outworks. O.S.M., Caith., xxii. Visited, 21st June 1910. 103. Broch, “ Cnoc Bonn’’ Do .-—^Within 300 yards of the last mentioned broch, and to the N., are the remains of another the position of which has been fortified to a remarkable extent. A grassy mound rising some 6' to 7' in height above the surrounding level is cut off from the moorland by a ditch passing southward from NE. to SW. and varying from 60' to 66' in width. Crowning the scarp has been a wall or rampart forming a parapet still some 3' to 4' in height on the inside, and 9' to 10' in elevation above the bottom of the ditch. Above the counterscarp has also been a mound, now some 12' to 14' wide at base and separated from the edge of the ditch, for the greater part of its length, by a berm some 7' in width. Its greatest height is some 7' above the bottom of the ditch. Between the parapet and the central mound which covers the build¬ ings is a level area some 15' to 20' in breadth except on the W., where it appears to have been broken down. The central mound measures some 86' from N. to S. by 73' from E. to W, and has an elevation above the terrace at its base of from 6' to 7'. There has been an approach and entrance through the rampart from the NW. The top of the mound is pitted with numerous depressions, and a portion of it towards the E. has at some time been removed. Beyond the ends of the ditch the surrounding ground is still in places marshy, and the numerous sheep drains suggest that in former times it was more so. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. Visited, 21st June 1910. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 33 Parish of Halkirk. 104. Brock, Dale. —In a field on the W. side of the road that leads from Westerdale to Halkirk, about J m. N, by E. of Dale, is a mound covering the remains of a broch. It has been of considerable size, but almost one half has been removed from the E. side. The original dimensions have been about 140' x 122', while the remaining portion measures 64' from N. to S. by 113' from E. to W. The greatest elevation is about 9'. O.S.M., Caith., xxii. Visited, 23rd June 1910. 105. Brock, '‘Cam na Mairg,” Westerdale. —Situated on the right, or E. bank of the Thurso Eiver, about \ m. S. of Westerdale, is a broch known as “ Cam na Mairg.” It is a conspicuous grass-covered mound rising from the water’s edge and cut off from the moorland by a well defined ditch opening on the river bank, wet in the bottom, and filling when the river is in flood. This ditch measures some 22' in width on the SE., and about 15' on the NE. From the top of the parapet which crowns the scarp it is from 8' to 10' deep, but its depth from the top of the outer bank is only 2' to 3'. Towards the E. the continuity of the ditch is broken by the approach to the broch which crosses on the solid and is 6' wide where it passes through the enceinte. On either side of this approach as it crosses the ditch, the foundations of a wall are visible beneath the turf, and beyond it on the moorland two parallel mounds or ruined walls exist for a distance of some 50', 24' apart and measuring 17' across at base, indicating the direction of the roadway inclining obliquely towards the entrance. Between the ends of these flanking mounds and the ditch an old road now interposes. The parapet wall on the top of the scarp has been some 4' to 5' in thickness, and has been carried entirely round the broch. Between it and the base of the tower has been a level space some 30' in width over which numerous flag-stones set on end protrude from the turf. The outer end of the entrance passage of the broch has been exposed to a height of 2' 3", as also the inner end, while on one or two places on the exterior small portions of wall are visible. The entrance has been from the E. through a passage 10' 6" in length, 3' 4” wide at the exterior, and 2' 4'' wide at the interior extremity measured at the level of its roof. The outer lintel is gone, but the succeeding four remain in situ (though one is broken), roofing the passage for 8' of its length. No guard chamber or door jambs are exposed. The diameter over all is about 52'. Above the present floor level of the passage the greatest height of the mound is 8'. A depression on the top marks the court. 106. Brock, “ Tnlack Bivaile a’ Cknoic,” Westerdale. —On the top of the left bank of the Thurso Iliver, about 100 yards below Westerdale bridge, is an oblong mound measuring some 60' to 70' in length by 20 ' in breadth, covering the remains of a broch, small fragments of the wall of which are visible. The mound has at one time been quarried into at the S. end, and the river has eaten into it on the E., reducing it to its present form. O.S.M., Caith., xxii. Visited, 23rd June 1910. 107. Brock, “Tidack Beag," Tormsdale. — At Tormsdale, about If m. up the Thurso River from Westerdale and some 40 yards back from its right bank, are tlie remains of a broch. The stones have 3 o4. HISTOKICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Halkirk. been to a great extent removed from the ruin and the outer face of the wall is at no point visible. The diameter over all seems to have been about 58'. Towards the NW. a portion of the interior of a chamber is exposed. The greatest elevation is some 5/ O.S.M., Caith., xxii. Visited, 4th August 1910. 108. Brock, “ Tnlack Mori’ Tormsdale .—On a rock rising from the edge of the right bank of the Thurso Eiver, about 2 m. above Wester- dale, are the remains of a broch. Like the broch of “ Cam na Mairg” (No. 105) lower down the river, it has been defended by a ditch or trench of varying width, best preserved towards the NE., the bottom of which is some 8' below the top of the scarp and 6' below the counterscarp. On the NE., or side away from the river, between the top of the scarp and the base of the broch, there has existed a terrace some 20' in width, diminishing in breadth as it approaches the base of the tower on either side. At the edge of this terrace, or glacis, there has been a wall or parapet crowning the scarp. The diameter of the tower is difficult to ascertain but appears to have been about 54'. On the side above the river portions of walling appear at one or two places, suggesting that the wall has either been greatly increased in thickness on that side or that there has been building on the bank below to give stability to the foundations. On the side above the river bank the inner end of a chamber is visible, curving towards the S. A considerable amount of quarrying has taken place into the face of the terrace on the E. side. O.S.M., Caith., xxii. Visited, 4th August 1910. 109. Brock, Leosag .—In the angle formed by the confluence of the Olgrimbeg burn with the Thurso Eiver, on the S. side of the former and about ^ m. NE. of Leosag farm, is a low hillock evidently containing the remains of a broch. It has been long under cultiva¬ tion, and is much spread out. The diameter over all is about 95' and the greatest elevation 6'. No part of the structure is visible. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. (“Mound”). Visited, 4th August 1910, 110. Brock, North Colder .—In cultivated land about J m. to the W. of North Calder farm is a grassy hillock on the summit of which there has evidently stood a broch. The hillock seems to some extent to be artificial. It has a diameter over all of about 146' and an elevation of some 10' to 12'. No part of the structure is visible, but the portion of the mound which seems to have contained the tower measures some 70' in diameter. O.S.M., Caith., xi. (“ Mound”). Visited, 5th August 1910. 111. Brock, Framside .—At the edge of a cultivated field about 180 yards to the E. of the farm-house of Framside is a grassy knoll with an elevation of some 6' or 8', on the top of which has stood a broch. From the position occupied by the tower at the NW. end the mound slopes gradually away towards the SE. No part of the structure is visible, but it appears to have had a diameter of about 54.' O.S.M., Caith., xi. (“Mound”). Visited, 5th August 1910. 112. Broch, “ Tidlock of Ackovorn’,’ Achavorn .—About 130 yards S. of Achavarn, on the E. shore of Loch Calder, is the site of a broch. The structure, which has measured some 62' in diameter, has been INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 35 Parish of Halkirk. almost entirely removed. At some 4' or 5' from its base is a low encircling bank or wall. 113. Broch,“ Shean Harraig,” Scotscalder .—On the E. side of the road to Thurso, about ^ m. N. of Scotscalder station and J m. E. of the S. end of Loch Olginey, are the remains of a broch known as “ Shean Harraig.” The mound covering the ruin has been quarried into to some extent on the S. side. It has a diameter over all of about 76' and an elevation of 8'. No measurable part of the structure is exposed. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. Visited, 5th August 1910. 114. Broch, Upper Sour .—In the corner of a field some 300 yards W. of the farm-house of Upper Sour, is a large grassy mound, sloping away gradually to the S., and containing the ruins of a broch at its N. end. It has been quarried to some extent, but the face of the wall is in no place exposed. The diameter of the structure has been from 60' to 70', and the greatest elevation of the mound is some 8' or 9'. O.S.M., Caith., xi. Visited, 5th August 1910. 115. Broch {supposed), '■ Hoiisel Cairn,” Halkirk .—At the edge of a cultivated field about ^ m. WSW. of Ben Morven Distillery, Halkirk, is a large grassy mound. The mound has been sharply scarped all round and the fragmentary ruins on the top appear to be those of a broch. The construction has, however, been so much pillaged that definite measurements are unobtainable. The O.S. map records that here were found stone cists containing human remains, bronze rings, iron spear-heads, and pottery. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. Visited, 5th August 1910. 116. Broch, Skinnet .—On the W. side of the Thurso Koad, about m. SSW. of Skinnet farm-house, are the remains of a broch. The E. side has been entirely removed, and a segment, representing less than one half of the original structure, overgrown with grass, is all that now remains. See Archwologia Scotica, v., pt. i. p. 185. O.S.M., Caith., xi. Visited, 5th August 1910. 117. Broch, “ Xnockglass .”—Rising from the cultivated fields about \ m. SW. of the Mill of Knockglass, and some 80 yards back from the N. hank of the Forse Water, is a high grassy hillock, on the top of which are the remains of a broch. 'The portion of the mound con¬ taining the ruins has a diameter of about 70' and an elevation of about 8'. No part of the structure is visible at any point. Between the base of the broch and the edge of the lower slope of the mound there appears to have existed the usual terrace. The highest eleva¬ tion of the whole mound is from 16' to 17'. O.S.M., Caith., x. Visited, 10th August 1910. Hut Circles, etc. 118. Hut Circle, Achlochan Moss .—About 1J m. W. of Mybster Inn, on the N. side of the road to Westerdale and some 20 yards distant from it, are the remains of a hut circle. It has been circular, with an interior diameter of about 12', surrounded by a bank or wall some 4' 6" in thickness. The inner outline of the bank is marked by large stones placed end to end a foot or so apart, and a similar arrangement appears 36 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Halkirk. to have characterised the outer circumference, which, however, is much overgrown with grass. The entrance has probably been from the SW., but the bank in that direction has been broken down. O.S.M., Caitil, xxii. (unnoted). Visited, 21st June 1910. 119. Hut Circle, Aclmlilster Hill. —On the N. end of Achalibster Hill and about 1 in. WNW. of Achalibster farm, are the indefinite remains of what appears to have been a large hut circle, but may possibly be the site of a cairn. The construction is entirely over¬ grown with turf and heather, accurate dimensions are unobtainable, and the inequalities on the surface suggest some interior structure. It bears the name “ Cam Liath ” on the O.S. map. Some 40' SE. is a much smaller hut circle, the interior dimensions of which are 18'x 20', and having the entrance from E. by N. The bank, which is formed of turf, is much worn down and its width indefinite. There are no mounds visible in the vicinity. O.S.M., Caith., xxii. Visited, 4th August 1910. 120. Hut Circle, “ Torr nan Deao'cag” Dorrery. —On the top of a green hillock rising out of the moorland about 1 m. NNE. of Dorrery Lodge, are the remains of what has probably been a small hut circle. The diameter over all is 21'. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. Visited, 9th August 1910. 121. Circular Enclosure, Dorrery. —On the top of a hillock some 150 yards SE. of the last are the foundations of a large circular construction, the plan of which is now quite indefinite. There appears, however, to have been a circular enclosure measuring interiorly some 32' x 34', within which are indications of subdividing walls. On the W. the enclosing wall instead of completing the circle is carried by the N. to the SSE., passing the E. wall of the enclosure at some 17' distant, and thus forming a spiral figure. The measure¬ ment of the whole construction is some 78'x 90' over all. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. (“Mound”). Visited, 9th August 1910. 122. Hut Circle, do. —About m. N. of Dorrery Lodge, on the E. side of the peat road, is a large hut circle. It is entered from the E., but the bank on both sides of the entrance is much worn away and its details are unobtainable. The interior measurements are 24' X 28'. The thickness of the bank or wall, which is overgrown with grass and heather, is 9'. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. (unnoted). Visited, 9th August 1910. 123. Hut Circle, Hill of Lieurary. —At the N. end of the top of the Hill of Lieurary are the remains of a small circular hut, with an interior diameter of 7' x 8'. The bank, which has been formed entirely of turf, is much worn down and measures about 6' in width. The entrance has been from the ESE. and 2' wide. O.S.M., Caith., xi. (“ Mound ”). Visited, 10th August 1910. 124. Htd Circle (supposed), Skinnet. —In the low lying ground some I m. NE. of Skinnet farm-house, and about 200 yards W. of the Thurso Kiver, is a circular enclosure. Over all it measures some 48' X 53', with the longest axis NE. and SW. There is a hollow towards the SW, which may mark the position of the entrance, but the surface INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 87 Parish of Halkirk. is entirely covered with thick turf and details of the interior plan are quite obscure. O.S.M., Caith., xi. (“ Mound”). Visited, 13th August 1910. ] 25. Hut Circle, Loch Calder. —About half way down the W. side of Loch Calder, SW. of the “ Big Island,” and some 200 yards from the shore, is a hut circle. It is formed of two circular enclosures in alignment, the one opening out of the other in line of the main entrance, which is from the SE. The back circle measures interiorly 25' X 27'. The floor, which has been dug out to some extent, is some 4' below the top of the enclosing bank and 2' 6" or thereby above the floor level of the front enclosure. The thickness of the bank is indefinite, but appears to have been about 8'. The front circle measures interiorly 23' x 25'. Details of the entrance and connecting passage are not procurable without excavation. The whole construc¬ tion is overgrown with heather. O.S.M., Caith., xi. (unnoted). Visited, 22nd August 1910. 126. Hut Circle, do. —Somewhat less than I m. N. of No. 125 is another hut circle, also overgrown with heather. It measures interiorly 20' x 25' and is entered from the SE. The thickness of the bank appears to be from 8' to 9'. No details of the entrance are obtainable. O.S.M., Caith., xi. (unnoted). Visited, 22nd August 1910. 127. Hut Circle, Tkulachan. —On a grassy mound about i m. S. of Thulachan are the remains of what has apparently been a stone-built hut circle, on the foundations of which in modern times a sheep stell has been built. It has been circular, with an interior diameter of 22', walls 9' thick, and an entrance from the SE. The foundations of the wall on the left of the entrance passage still remain. The width of the passage has been 2'. O.S.M., Caith., xxxii. (“Piets’ Houses”). Visited, 7th July 1910. 128. Hut Circle, do. —Some f m. N. by W. of the second group of ruins (No. 151), on a low green mound in the moor, are the remains of a hut circle. The structure has been formed entirely of turf, and is now much effaced. Its interior diameter is 22', the turf bank is 9' thick, and the entrance is from the S. O.S.M., Caith., xxxii. (unnoted). Visited, 7th July 1910. Sepulchral Constructions. 129. Chambered Cairn, “ Tulloch of Milton,” Halkirk. —Situated about m. to to the W. of Halkirk are the remains of a large oval cairn, much quarried. The dimensions are 100' from N. to S. by about 76' from E. to W. 'Towards the S. end some six or seven slabs set on end protrude from 8" to 14" above the ground, parallel, and almost in line. They face WNW. and ESE., and are about 27' inwards from the S. end. The first two at the W. side are 2' 6" apart, passing E., the next slab is 13' 8" distant, parallel, but some¬ what S. of the other two. At 2' 6" distant from it is the next, parallel, and in line. Some 5' 4" E. is another, parallel, and some¬ what S., and 22' further E. is a sixth, also parallel. In line with the last and 20' to the N. is another. Towards the N. end of the 38 HISTOKICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Pakish OF Halkirk. construction a small portion of cairn-like appearance remains intact, and beside it are one or two more slabs all facing in the same direction as the others. The slabs vary from 2' 6" to 3' in breadth as exposed, except one which is 4' 3" in breadth. This appears to have been a cairn with one or more chambers, and of a plan not hitherto noted on the mainland of Scotland, but possibly resembling that of certain chambered cairns in Orkney. Excavation is, however, necessary to ascertain fully its features. The O.S. map indicates that human remains were found at the spot. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. Visited, 1st September 1910. 130. Cairn, Achanarras Hill .—On the H. end of Achanarras Hill, about I m. NNW. of Achanarras farm, is a low heather-clad mound which is probably a cairn. It measures in diameter some 33' from N. to S. by 30' from E. to W., and in elevation from 2' to 3' (unnoted). 131. Do., do. —Some 40 yards W. of the stone circle on the N. end of Achanarras Hill (Ho. 141), situated about J m. NW. of Achanarras farm-house, is a low mound overgrown with mossy turf which seems to be a cairn. Its limits are indefinite, but it appears to measure in diameter some 43' from E. to W. by 56' from N. to S. (unnoted). 132. Cairn, “ The Shean,” Achanarras Hill. —At the H. end of Achanarras Hill at an elevation of about 300', and some 600 yards W. by N. of Achanarras farm, is a small cairn. It measures some 30' in diameter and 3' in elevation. A slight depression on the top suggests that it may have been excavated. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. Visited, 20th June 1910. 133. Chamhered Cairn, Dorrery. —Situated about ^ m. H. by E. of Dorrery Lodge is a chambered cairn which has been partially excavated. The diameter over all has been about 42'. Towards the W. on the outer edge two slabs set on end 2' apart probably mark the end of the entrance passage. At 16' inwards a thin slab placed at right angles to the direction of the passage has probably formed one of the portals to an outer compartment of the chamber, and at 4' 9" in rear of it another slab, 2' 5" broad and 6" thick, protruding 1 ' 6" above the ruin has formed the N. portal of the inner compart¬ ment. The main compartment has been entirely cleared out, and its dimensions are unobtainable. A small portion only of its wall remains visible on the N. side. The cairn for the most part is overgrown with turf. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. (unnoted). Visited, 9th August 1910. 134. Cairn, Dorrery .—Some 200 yards NNW. of the last mentioned cairn (No. 133) is another with a diameter of about 40' and an elevation of about 4'. On the top near the centre a cist lying NE. and SW. has been exposed, 3' 8" in length by 1' 6" in breadth. The slabs forming one end and one side alone remain. At the edge of the cairn towards the S. a thin slab set upwards 2' 6" in breadth protrudes through the turf to a height of 1' 3". Its significance is not apparent. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. (“ Mound”). Visited, 9th August 1910. 135. Chamhered Cairn {long), “ Tulaeh an t-Sionnaich,” Loch Calder. —At the N. end of Loch Calder, and about 100 yards from the turn INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 39 Parish of Halkirk. of the E. shore, is a long cairn completely overgrown with vegetation. Its main axis lies WNW. and ESE. and its broader and higher end is in the latter direction. The total length is 195', the width at the WNW. extremity 28', and at the ESE. 53'. The greatest eleva¬ tion is about 6'. There are no surface indications of the existence of horns. Along both sides at irregular intervals the tops of upright slabs protrude, set with their faces in line of the direction of the cairn, and probably marking its outline. At 40' from the WNW. end near the mesial line of the cairn, an upright slab measuring 4' across and another inclined at an angle towards it, indicate the position of a cist or chamber. At several points stone has been removed, and a trench has been excavated right across at about 50' from the ESE. end. The cairn otherwise does not seem to have been excavated. O.S.M., Caith., xi. Visited, 10th August 1910. 136. Chambered Cairn {horned, long), “ Tulach Buaile Assery’’ Loch Calder. —On the W. side of Loch Calder, about ^ m. W. of the “ Big Island ” and ^ m. back from the loch, is a horned long cairn known as “Tulach Buaile Assery.” It lies WSW. and ENE., having its broader and higher extremity towards the latter direction. Except at the ENE. end it has been greatly pillaged for stones. The extreme length, inclusive of the horns, has been about 230'. At the ENE. the horns are not very evident beneath the turf, but they appear to have measured about 26' in length, and 60' between their outer terminations, while the distance from the centre of the end of the cairn to their outer extremities is 37'. The horns at the opposite end are more distinct. They appear to be also 26' in length, but are only 46' apart at their outer extremities. At the WSW. end the cairn measures 44' in breadth and some 4' in elevation. Two large slabs, set on end, protrude from the turf 18' from the end, indicating the former existence of a chamber, which, although ruined, shows no signs of having been cleared out. The breadth of the cairn near the centre is some 42'. At about 80' from the ENE. end it begins to expand, and increases to a breadth of 64' and height of 12'. The whole is overgrown with grass and heather, and the principal end shows no sign of excavation. O.S.M., Caith., xi. (“Brough ”). Visited, 22nd August 1910. 137. Chambered Cairn, “ Torr Ban na Gruagaich” Loch Calder .— About 200 yards S. by E. of the horned long cairn on the W. side of Loch Calder (No. 136) are the remains of a round chambered cairn. The cairn has had a diameter of about 53' and has an elevation of about 7'. The chamber is in a ruined state. Some 14' in from the E. edge lies a large slab in situ as a lintel. It measures 6' 4" in length, 2' 10" in breadth, and 10" in thickness. At 4' in rear of it a single division stone is standing and 8' to 9' back from it some of the building at the back of the chamber is exposed. The interior is overgrown with turf, and the width of the chamber is not apparent. O.S.M., Caith., xi. (“Brough”). Visited, 22nd August 1910. 138. Chambered Cairn {long), Knockglass. —Situated at the edge of a high bank above the Water of Forss, and about 150 yards SSE. of the Mill of Knockglass, is a long cairn. It lies with its major axis NW. and SE., and expands and rises in elevation towards the latter 40 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Halkirk. ( direction, terminating at the very edge of the bank. The cairn is entirely overgrown with grass and has been much quarried, an in¬ definite portion having been removed from the NW. end. As it now exists it measures 112' in length, and 31' in width at the NW. end and about 46' at the SE. extremity where its outline is somewhat disturbed. The elevation at the higher end is about 6' and at the lower 2'. Along the sides the lower courses of the facing wall are visible, though displaced. Some 30' in from the higher end there protrudes through the turf the head of a large slab set on end at right angles to the main axis of the cairn. O.S.M., Caith., X. (unnoted). Visited, 21st September 1910. ] 39. Chambered Cairn, Westfisld .—At the edge of a grass park some I m. SW. of Westfield House, and about 160 yards to the S. of the Forss Water, is a cairn entirely overgrown with grass. It has a diameter of about 36' and an elevation of 3' 6". The top of a large slab pro¬ truding near the centre suggests that it is of a chambered character. O.S.M., Caith., x. (“ Mound”). Visited, 10th August 1910. 140. Cairn, Westfield .—About 100 yards to the N. of the last, and about 60 yards back from the Forss Water, on the top of the bank, is a circular mound overgrown with grass which is evidently a cairn. It measures in diameter about 36', and in elevation about 5'. O.S.M., Caith., x. (“Mound”). Visited, 10th August 1910. 141. Stone Circle, Achanarras Hill .—On theN. end of Achanarras Hill, a little more than m. NW. of Achanarras farm-house, are the Pig. 9.—Stone Circle, Achanarras Hill (No. 141); Ground-plan. Ancient (Oid dfistorical Monumcntti — Cait'incss. Plate XIY.—Dove-cot, Dale House (No. 145). 'I'o face]). 41. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 41 Parish of Halkirk. remains of a stone circle (fig. 9). Surrounding a low stony mound with a diameter of some 60' and elevation not exceeding 2' are five large blocks each about 6' in length, varying from 2' 9" to 4' 6" in breadth by about 1' in thickness, slightly tapering to one end. They are all prostrate, and, as all lie with their longest axes along the line of the circumference, presumably they originally stood at right angles to it. There is a slight depression in the centre of the mound which may imply that it has been excavated. O.S.M., Caith., xvh. (unnoted). Visited 20th June 1910. 142. Stone Circle, Backlass .—At Backlass, some 200 yards W. of the shepherd’s house and immediately outside the garden wall, are remains which appear to be those of a stone circle. Only a segment towards the N. exists, consisting of five stones apparently in situ, and one displaced. The stones are for the most part pointed and do not stand high above ground. Counting from the W. they measure in height, breadth, and thickness respectively. No. 1, 2' 9", 1' 9" and 1' 6" : No. 2, r 5", r 7", and 1' 4": No. 3, 1' 8", 1' 10", and 11": No. 4, 2', 1' 8", and 1' 2" : No. 5., 2' 3", 3' 4", and 1' 5". A large displaced stone 6' 6" long, 3' 3" broad, and 1' 5" thick, is lying half upon the eastmost stone. The diameter of the circle has been about 22'. A large number of pointed stones in the adjacent walls seem to have been removed from the monument. O.S.M., Caith., xxvii. (unnoted). Visited, 7th July 1910. Miscellaneous. 143. Mound, “ Tulach Lochain Bhraiseil,” Westerdale .—About a m. NNW. of Westerdale bridge, on the left bank of the Thurso River and about 100 yards distant from it, is a conical grassy mound of artificial character. There is no depression on the top, and the greatest elevation is about 10'. In diameter it measures 119' from N. to S. by 103' from E. to W. There is nothing to indicate whether this is a cairn or a broch, but from its shape it is possibly the former. (O.S. “ Piet’s House.”) 144. MoutuI, “ Tulach an Flmarain” Westerdale. — About ^ m. N. of Westerdale bridge, close by the left bank of the Thurso River and within 50 yards of the mound (No. 143) last described, is another known as “ Tulach an Fhuarain.” It is also of indeterminate character, but the depressions on the top of it are suggestive of a broch. Its greatest elevation is 8'; its diameter from N. to S. 105', and from E. to W. 90'; the lesser diameter in the latter direction being due to the removal of a portion of the mound in the formation of a road. O.S.M., Caith., xxii. Visited, 23rd June 1910. 145. Dove-cot, Dale House .—At the end of the old abandoned garden to the S. of Dale House, near the village of Westerdale, is an ancient dove-cot (pi. XIV.) of the beehive or circular type. It is built in four stages, with an elevation of some 17' 6" and a diameter over all at base of 16'. The wall is 2' 10" in thickness. The interior is lined with the usual stone nests, and there is an aperture at the top for the ingress and egress of the pigeons. The building is in rather a ruinous state. O.S.M., Caith., xxii. (unnoted). Visited, 21st June 1910. 42 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Halkirk. 146. Standing-Stone, Pidlyhour .—Halfway between the cottage at Pullyhour and the Thurso Elver, near the edge of a cultivated field, is a pointed flat-sided boulder standing 3' 5" above ground and measur¬ ing 8' 3" in circumference at base. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. (unnoted). Visited, 23rd June 1910. 147. Mound, Pullyhour .—On the right bank of the Thurso Kiver, to the N. of the termination of the road which leads from the Free Church School at Harpsdale Hill to Pullyhour, and some 200 yards W. of the latter place, on a piece of waste ground, is a construction consisting of a circular bank about 2' in height and 8' to 9' in thick¬ ness, enclosing a space measuring about 43' in diameter, in the centre of which is a flat-topped mound 28' in diameter and about 1' 6" in height. The whole is overgrown with turf, but appears to be stony underneath. Its character, however, is doubtful. There is no break in the enclosing bank. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. (“Tumulus”). Visited, 23rd June 1910. 148. Stamling-Stone, Tlmlachan, — Some 80' SE. of the most southerly of the group of ruins beside the burn to the S. of Thulachan (No. 151) is an upright stone sunk deep in a mossy depression. It is pointed symmetrically, measures 4' 4" in breadth, 9" in thickness, and projects 2' 6'' above the ground level, facing ENE. and WSW. It is firmly set in the peat, and is possibly a standing-stone. O.S.M., Caith., xxxii. Visited, 7th July 1910. 149. Ci'oss Slab, Thulachan .—About 1 m. S. by W. of Thulachan, on the highest part of the watershed, at an elevation of 600', is a thin sandstone slab (pi. XV.) measuring 4' in total length by 2' in breadth and 3" in thickness. It faces NE. and SW., and on the latter face is traced a rude cross. The cross measures 2' 6" in extreme length, and 1' 2" across the arms. The stem is 4" broad, and the arms, which slightly expand, are 6" in length. At 5" below the intersection a line has been drawn across the shaft. The angles are not hollowed, and the shaft is rounded at the base. The slab is broken in three pieces. The stone is known as “Clach na Ciplich.” See The Gunns, p. 188. O.S.M., Caith., xxxii. (unnoted). Visited, 7th July 1910. Shielings (ruins of), Thulachan. 150. About I m. S. by W. of Thulachan, on low grassy knolls, are the ruins of several primitive rectangular buildings, oblong in shape, the largest measuring some 35'xl2'. Large blocks of stone have been used in their construction. O.S.M., Caith., xxxii. (“Piets’ Houses”). Visited, 7th July 1910. 151. About 11 m. to the WSW. of Thulachan on the N. side of a burn which runs into the S. end of the westmost of the two lochs, is another group of small rectangular buildings which have been built with large stones. Adjacent is a construction round in plan, measuring 24' in diameter, with a narrow opening, 1' 7" in width towards the S., probably a kiln. O.S.M., Caith., xxxii. (unnoted). Visited, 7th July 1910. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC,, IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 43 Parish of Halkirk. 152. About I m. NE. of the eastmost loch at Thulachan, on a slight elevation, are the ruins of a house, measuring some 34' x 14' and rudely built of very large stones and slabs. Little but the foundations of walls some 3' thick remain. O.S.M., Caitil, xxvii. (unnoted). Visited, 7th July 1910. 153. /Slabs (setlhvg of), Dalemore .—On the E. side of the Thurso Kiver, opposite Dalemore, is a grassy mound marked “ Piet’s House” on the O.S. Map. The mound appears to be natural, but from the base at one side three large upright stones protrude. Their connection with any sepulchral construction is not obvious, nor is their purpose evident. O.S.M., Caith., xxii. Visited, 4th August 1910. 154. /St Peters Chapel, Olgrimheg Burn .—On the left bank of the Olgrimbeg Burn, about ^ m. above its junction with the Thurso River, are the ruins of St Peter’s Chapel. The walls stand to a height of about 2' and are 3' in width. The interior dimensions are 24' x 13'. There is no sign of a chancel nor are there any details to indicate the period of erection. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. Visited, 4th August 1910. 155. Hut Fowulation, Cnoc Scoot, Dorrerg .—On the S. end of a low ridge rising from the moorland, about | m. N. by E. of Dorrery Lodge, is a small rectangular enclosure lying E. and W., measur¬ ing some 5' x 3' and surrounded by a broad low bank of turf. The ends of the interior are faced with slabs set on edge about 10" above ground, and on the S. side huilding is visible. An entrance passage 2' wide and 31/ in length leads into the enclosure at the SE. angle. Over all, the construction measures about 25' in diameter. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. (“ Mound”). Visited, 9th August 1910. Standing-Stones, Dorrery. 156. In the low, wet ground to the NE. of Ben Dorrery, and about m. NW. of Dorrery Lodge, is a standing-stone. It is a sand¬ stone slab measuring 4V in height above ground, 3' 3" in breadth, 10" in thickness, and faces NE. and SW. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. Visited, 9th August 1910. 157. On the E. shoulder of Ben Dorrery, just above the 600' contour line and about m. to the W. of Dorrery Lodge, is a standing-stone measuring 5' in height above ground, 3' in breadth, and 1' 2" in thickness. It faces ENE. and WSW. and is slightly pointed towards the upper extremity. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. Visited, 9th August 1910. 158. On the W. slope of Ben Dorrery, just above the base of the hill, is a slab pointed symmetrically, standing erect. It measures 3' in height above ground, 3' 5" in breadth, 6" in thickness, and faces N. by E. and S. by W. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. Visited, 9th August 1910. 44 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Halkirk. 159. Font, St Trostan’s Gliafd, Westfield.' —Built into the SE. wall of the graveyard at Westfield is a large stone vessel supposed to be the font of the church or chapel which formerly stood here. It is an oval block of sandstone rounded at the bottom, 22" in length, 17" in breadth, and 13" in depth. The basin, which is also oval, measures 12^" X 11", and is 8" deep. O.S.M., Caith., xi. Visited, 10th August 1910. 160, 161. Mounds, “ Tullochs of Asseryf Loch Colder. —At the N. end of Loch Calder, towards the E. side, and not far from the shore, are two mounds overgrown with vegetation and standing within a few yards of each other. The character of both is obscure. The westmost mound, which is the larger, measures over all 112'X 87', and has an elevation of about 12'. Over the surface are a number of small circular depressions measuring about 6' in diameter, and one or two of larger dimensions, all seemingly con¬ nected. The mound shows no indication of its being a cairn, nor does it suggest a broch structure. If it is a broch, however, it has a number of secondary constructions built on the top of the ruin. The eastmost mound has a diameter of 66'x60', and is of low elevation. An entrance passage visible at its inner end, where it is 3' in width, leads inwards from the N. In the interior a number of large thin slabs set on end protrude from the turf at various points, and one pointed stone, such as is used to form a pillar in a galleried house. The number and position of the slabs do not suggest a chambered cairn, and the remains are probably those of a dwelling of some sort akin to the secondary structures so frequently found in this county surrounding the brochs. O.S.M., Caith., xi. (“ Broughs ”). Visited 10th August 1910. 162. Footmark, Port-an-eilein. —On the W. end of the summit of the hill of Port-an-eilein, about | to | m. NE. of Shurrery church, is a flat exposed rock-surface measuring some 10' square. Towards the N. end, near the mesial line, there has been hollowed out the impression of a human left foot. It is exactly 12" in length, 6" in breadth across the sole, and 4J" across the heel, while the depth of the depression is about 1|". The foot is regularly shaped, the arch below the instep and the constriction of the sole at that point being clearly indicated. The artificial character of the mark seems quite obvious. It is set N. 18° W. and S. 18° E. The rock on which it is carved is said to have been called “ Clach na luirg.” O.S.M., Caith., xvi. (unnoted). Visited, 11th August 1910. 163. Standing-Stones {setting of), Brouhster .—On the moor, about I m. NE. of Broubster village, are the remains of a setting of standing- stones, which appear to have formed a monument similar to that at Achkinloch beside the Loch of Stemster (No. 293). The monument (fig. 10) is very imperfect, but appears to have been erected in the form of an elongated horse-shoe, with the longest axis lying NNE. and SSW., its greatest length along the mesial line being about 140' and the width between the ends about 90'. In the centre of the line of the setting, at the NNE. end, stands a single slab pointed upwards, 5' 5" in height and 3' 7" in breadth at base, facing NW. and SE. Along the N\V. side INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 45 Parish of Halkirk. five stones renaain in situ. The highest of these only protrudes 1' 3" above the surface, and measures 3' 10" in breadth and V 3" in thickness. The end stone on the NW. side is sunk in the peat and appears to have been displaced. On the NE. side two stones remain % O ,'bcALt*0 O 159 ftET — Fig. 10.—Standing-Stones (setting of), Broubster (No. 163); Ground-plan. standing, one of which is sunk beneath the surface, while the other protrudes V 9" above ground and measures 3' 8" in breadth by 10" in thickness. Between these two stones another lies overturned. The stones have been set with their broader faces at right angles to the direction of the line, and seem to have been placed from 12' to 14' apart, but the imperfect character of the monument does not admit 46 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Halkirk. of the latter fact being accurately ascertained. To the SW. of the monument, about 129' distant from the first stone on the NW. side, stands another tall pillar 6' 11" in height, 2' 3" in breadth, and 1' 9" in thickness, facing NE. and SW. This stone, though now isolated, may possibly indicate the original length of the monument. The area in the centre of the monument has been dug to some extent for peats, and at one or two points small heaps of stones or hollows seem to indicate the positions of slabs which have been removed. O.S.M., Caith., X. Visited, 22nd August 1910. 164. Mound, “ Corr a’ Chaise” Bridge of Bronhster .—At the edge of an enclosed cultivated area in the moorland, about 1 m. NNE. of the Bridge of Broubster, is a low mound recently supplemented with much stone gathered from the adjoining field. It has a diameter of 31' and elevation of about 2'. Probably it is a cairn, but its character is not evident. O.S.M., Caith., x. Visited, 22nd August 1910. 165. Stone Rows, Dirlot. —Some 300 yards WSW. of the graveyard at Dirlot, on a rounded heather-clad knoll, is a setting of stone rows. The setting (fig. 11) appears to have consisted of some thirteen or fourteen rows presenting the usual characteristics, the stones being set with their fiat faces looking across the rows. Most of the stones merely protrude from 6" to 8" and are about 1' in breadth, except at the outer termination where they have been larger, the largest stone being 2' high and 2' 4" broad. They are somewhat irregularly placed, some 3' to 5' distant from each other in the rows, and the rows 6' to 7' apart at the narrower end of the monument. On the crest of the hillock are two low mounds or cairns from which the rows appear to radiate. The most northerly of the cairns has a diameter of about 14' and a slight elevation, while the other situated near the centre of the base of the rows measures about 19' in diameter and in eleva¬ tion. Some 20' to the SE. of this cairn in the line of the rows is another slight mound measuring some 5' in diameter. The knoll has an elevation of about 12', and the rows run from the crest to the base in a direction approximately ESE. and WNW. At base the setting measures some 85' across and at its outer termination about 160'. The length of the longest remaining row has been about 106'. Several stones have recently been upturned, and the beds from which others have been removed are quite apparent. O.S.M., Caith., xxii. (unnoted). Visited, 24th August 1910. Sites. 166. Chapel and Graveyard, Banniskirk. —To the SE. of the farm buildings at Banniskirk, close to the old hill road and to the W. of it, is a slight elevation said to mark the site of a chapel, but no building is visible. O.S.M., Caith., xviii. Visited, 20th June 1910. 167. St Trostans Chapel and Graveyard, Westerdale. —At the edge of a field to the E. of the road that leads from Westerdale to Balin- dannich, and ^ m. N. of the former place, the O.S. map indicates ancient and historical MONUMENTS—CAITHNESS. ■o SiONt Rows, DiKLOT (Na 165): Grouni) Plan. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 47 Parish of Halkirk. the site of St Trostan’s Chapel. An unenclosed graveyard of small extent, measuring some 60' x 45', marks the spot. It is entirely overgrown with grass and weeds, beneath which the presence of numerous gravestones is evident. O.S.M., Caith., xxii. Visited, 23rd June 1910. 168. St Bridget’s Chapel and Well, Achscoradate. —A structure¬ less heap of stones is said to be ruins of the Chapel of St Bridget. It is situated about 100 yards NE. of Achscoradate. A short distance to the NNW. of the ruins is a so-called holy well still in use. O.S.M., Caith., xxvii. Visited, 7th July 1910. 169. St Columba’s Cha 2 ')el, Dirlot. —Within the graveyard at Dirlot is the site of a chapel dedicated to St Columba, of which no vestige now remains. 170. Well, “ Tobar Chalum-Cille.” —Due N. of the graveyard, and close to the shepherd’s house at Dirlot, is a well bearing the above name.* O.S.M., Caith., xxii. Visited, 4th August 1910. 171. Brodi, Knoekglass. —In a meadow by the left bank of the Forss Water, about f m. above tbe Mill of Knoekglass, is a small fragment of a building. The character and curve of the wall suggest that it is the remains of a broch. 0 S.M., Caith., x. Visited, 10th August 1910. The O.S. maps indicate sites as under:— 172. Chapel, Gerston. 173. Do. Halkirk Clmrch. 174. Do. Sibster Burn. O.S.M. Caith., xvii. 175. St. Trostan’s Chapel, Westfield. O.S.M., Caith., xi. 176. St Ciaran’s Chapel, Rumsdale Water. O.S.M., Caith., xxxi. 177. Chapel aiul Graveyard, near Achard.ale, Harpsdale. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. 178. Bishop’s Palace, near Braal Castle. 179. Broch, near Hoy Station. O.S.M., Caith., xi. 180. Broch, \ m. W. of Achies, Harpsdale. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. 181. Cairn, Achscrabster. O.S.M., Caith., xi. 182. Mound, Olgrinmore. 183. Standing-Stone, Olgrinmore. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. * Information supplied by the Rev. Angus Mackay, IVesterdale. 48 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. PARISH OF LATHERON. Ecclesiastical Structures. 184. Latheron Church Burial Aisle. —In rear of Latheron church is a burial aisle of the Sinclairs of Dunbeath, probably a fragment of an earlier edifice but presenting no features of architectural interest. Built into the wall is a 17th-century monument bearing a much effaced inscription in Latin. A translation of this inscription is given as follows in Henderson’s Caithness Family History :— “John Sinclair of Dunbeath, crowned knight, erected this monument to his dearly beloved ones—namely, to his wife, Christian Muat, daughter of Magnus, Lord of Bollquholly, who died prematurely in the bloom of life, and to his daughter, etc. Their Epitaph. This monument covers ladies turned into ashes, whose names were Gemma and Christian ; the one was cut off in early life, the other in old age. Their mother was the second wife of the Knight of Dunbeath. There might have been a more abundant list of the innumerable praises of both had this small monument admitted. Learn hence, 0 Mortal, that the divinities who spin the fatal threads of life, spare neither young nor old.” There are no stones of any interest visible in the churchyard. See Caithness Faiuily History, p. 84 (note). O.S.M., Caith., xxxix. and xliii. Visited, 26th July 1910. Castellated and Domestic Structures. 185. Forse Castle. —Forse Castle (pi. XV1.) stands on a high peninsular rock approached along a narrow ridge. A trench some 15' in width crosses the ridge at the base of the castle. The keep, which resembles that of Old Wick, has been a rectangular structure, measur¬ ing interiorly 21'x 11' 6", with walls 7' in thickness. The NE. wall stands to a height of some 30'; two-thirds of the NW. wall remain, with a crack through it from top to bottom. The W. angle has entirely gone and most of the SW. wall. Occupying the space between the N.E. wall of the keep and the edge of the cliffs has been a gate¬ house, formerly reached by a drawbridge across the trench, and in the outer face of the adjacent wall of the keep there is a round-headed recess some 6' above ground, measuring 4' in width and 5' in height, obviously connected with the upper floor of this structure. Through the gateway the approach led to the seaward side of the tower, in which, probably on the first floor, was the doorway, now broken down along with the wall beneath it. There is no sign of a stair, and the roofs have not been vaulted. In the basement looking seaward is a small splayed gun-loop, and above it, on the first floor, a window. In rear of the keep is a small triangular courtyard, on either side of which have been ranges of buildings. A portion of the walls of one of these on the SE. still stands to the level of the first storey. Kenneth Sutherland, descended from William, Earl of Sutherland, married the daughter and heiress of Keith of Forse about the year k- Plate XVII.—Dunbeatli Castle (No. 187). To face p. 49. INVENTORV OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNE.SS. 49 Parish of Latheron. 1400. In 1538, King James V. granted in heritage to William, Earl Marischal and Lady Margaret Keith, his wife, inter alia, the half of the lands of “ Force ” and its castle; but with the descendants of the Sutherlands the property remained until recent times. The castle probably dates from the 14th or early 15th century. See Cast, and Dom. Arch., iv. p. 299 ; Caithness Family History, pp. 151, 152; Beg. Mag. Sig. O.S.M., Caith., xxxiii. Visited, 29th July 1910. 186. Latheron Castle .—On the right bank of the Latheron Burn, about 120 yards below the road bridge at Latheron, are the frag¬ mentary ruins of Latheron Castle. A portion of the N. angle of a rectangular building remains, with some 15' of the NE. wall which is about 7' thick.* In the “ Geographical Description of the Parish of Lathron ” (eirca 1726), in Macfarlane’s Geographical Colleetions, this castle is referred to as standing, and is described as a ruinous fabric, the corners rounded and the stones “ handsomly sett ” though with no freestone in the whole building. The greater part of the building at that time appeared to be remaining, but nothing was known of its history. See Macfarlane’s Geog. Coll., i. p. 163. O.S.M., Caith., xxxix. and xliii. Visited, 26th July 1910. 187. Dunheath Castle. —This castle (pi. XVII.) is situated on the coast about 12 m. N. from Helmsdale, and has been greatly enlarged by the addition of modern buildings erected on its seaward side. Although altered to suit modern requirements, most of its original characteristics remain. The castle stands on the landward end of a narrow promontory projecting seaward, and was cut off from the land by a ditch im¬ mediately in front, the section of which is still visible on the face of the cliff crossed by the present approach. The building is oblong on plan, but not quite rectangular. The frontage to the SE. measures 64' and to the NW. 62', with a breadth of 25', and the walls are 5' thick. At the corners, on the upper floor level and at the angle, rise small pointed turrets, e.xcept towards the E., while the frontage is relieved with two semi-circular turrets rising from the first floor level, and finished square at the roof with gabled fronts. A modern entrance is on the ground level facing the approach on the NW. The ground floor is vaulted, and has heen divided by partitions into four apartments. In the centre is the entrance hall, to the left the kitchen with a large arched fireplace in the N. gable, and on the right were two cellars entering through each other. From the inner of these, which was doubtless the wine cellar, the usual private stair, in the thickness of the SE. wall, leads to the upper floor, while in the thickness of the back wall opposite the present entrance is a small concealed stair 1' 3" wide. The structural arrangement of the first floor has heen entirely altered to suit modern requirements. Entering from what was formerly part * Since this ruin was visited a large portion of it is reported to have been blown down in a storm. 4 50 HISTORICAL MOXI’IStENTS (SCOTLAND) COAtMISSION. Parish of Latheron. of the hall, a stair in the southmost of the two projecting turrets on the NW. front leads to the second floor; thence a narrow corbelled- out stair in the re-entering angle leads up to the attics. The turret to the northward, shown in the view (pi. XVII.), is modern, but occupies the position of an original one carried up square from the ground level. Daniell’s view of the castle made in 1821 shows this turret, while the illustration in the Castellated and Domestic Architec¬ ture of Scotland gives the frontage without it. The present edifice occupies the site and possibly incorporates a portion of an older building whose existence is recorded as far back as 1428. In 1452 Dunbeath belonged to Sir George de Crechtoun, Admiral of the kingdom, who succeeded to it from his mother. In 1507, James IV. granted a charter of confirmation to Alexander Innes, son and heir of Alexander Innes of that ilk, of, inter alia, the lands of Dunbeath which Malcolm Culquhone of Dunbeath had resigned. In 1529-30, Alexander Sinclair of Stamister, son of William, second Earl of Caithness and Elizabeth Innes his spouse, received a Crown charter of the lands of Dunbeath, etc., with the tower thereof, resigned by the foresaid Alexander Innes. Towards the close of the 16th century William Sinclair, then the proprietor, was so harassed by his relative the Earl of Caithness, that he left the property and retired to Morayshire, where he died in 1608. His grandson, in whose favour he had resigned his estates in 1590, succeeded him. The latter is supposed to have been facile, and in 1610 resigned the barony in favour of his brother-in-law Arthur,’ Lord Forbes. About 1624 Alexander, Master of Forbes, sold Dun¬ beath to John Sinclair of Geanies, second son of George Sinclair of Mey, who had made a fortune as a merchant and had acquired possession of other estates in Caithness and Eoss-shire. By him the old portion of the existing mansion is said to have been erected in 1633. He married as his second wife Christian, daughter of Magnus Mowat of Buchollie, whose monogram and heraldic bearings, viz. C. M. and a lion rampant, may be seen on the tympanum surmounting each of the two small windows placed in the centre of the turrets that project from the front of the castle. In the year 1 650 Dunbeath was attacked by Montrose and with¬ stood a siege for some days before Lady Sinclair (third wife of the proprietor) capitulated, being allowed to retire with her baggage. It was thereupon garrisoned by the Eoyalist troops. After the tight at Carbisdale General Leslie proceeded to Caithness and laid siege to the castle. It was valiantly defended for some days, until the water supply of the garrison was cut off and they were forced to surrender. An iron “ yett,” which formerly belonged to the castle, was pre¬ sented to the National Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh, in 1895. See Cast, and Dom. Arch., iv. p. 371 (illus.); Caithness Family History, pp. 14 and 83 ; Deeds of Montrose, pp. 297 and 496 ; Daniell’s Voyage, v. (illus.); Aoitiquaries, xxii. p. 286 (“yett”). O.S.M., Caitil, xxxix. and xliii. Visited, loth June 1910. 188. Aehastle. —At the foot of the park in front of Langwell House are the scanty ruins of Aehastle. It seems to have been a INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 51 Parish of Latheron. large rectangular keep, measuring interiorly some 70'x43', with a projecting turret at the NW. angle. Some 26' of the N. wall to a height of about 10' remains, with a thickness of 5' 6". The interior is full of ruins and the plan is not obtainable with certainty. The castle has stood at the extremity of the high ridge foi’ming the watershed between the waters of Berriedale and Langwell, and on the N. and W., where not protected by the steep banks, it has been enflanked by a broad, deep ditch. The ruin is mentioned in Macfarlane’s Geographical Collections {circa 1726) as “an antient fabrick, a part whereof stands yet ”; while Cordiner shows the ruin {circa 1788) as consisting of two square towers connected by a curtain wall, crowning the cliffs above the junction of the streams. In the Statistical Account it is said to have been built and possessed by John Beg, third son to the Earl of Sutherland. See Stat. Acct., xvii. p. 30 ; Cordiner’s Ruins, i. (illus.); Mac¬ farlane’s Geog. Coll., i. p. 165. O.S.M., (Jaitil, xlii. Visited, 21st July 1910. Defensive Constructions. 189. Broclh, Camster .—On the moorland, about m. S. of Camster farm and somewhat concealed by the higher ground to the E. and W., is a green fiat-topped mound covering the ruins of a broch. It has been surrounded by a ditch some 44' in width. The scarp, which measures down the slope some 30', is about 5' in elevation, and the counterscarp, which is much steeper, is some 4' in height. The base of a wall encircling the mound at the level of the top of the scarp is visible all round, and an entrance through it is made apparent on the EJNE. by the exposure of a few feet of the face of a wall curving inwards. The diameter across the space enclosed by this wall is some 85', and across the level top of the mound which rises for some 4' or 5' above it, is 35'. Placed at irregular intervals around the base of the mound, and in one instance on the sloping side of it, are some four or live small cairn-like heaps of stones measuring about 8' in diameter. O.S.M., Caith. , xxix. Visited, 30th June 1910. 190. Broch, Warehouse .—About 100 yards N. of Warehouse farm rises a grassy hillock marking the site of a broch. The hillock has been cut off from the surrounding moorland on the S. and E. by a broad ditch, and on the N. and W. a burn enhanks it, while in addition, on the latter sides, its base is protected by a breast-work. The broch has occupied the E. end of the hillock. At several places the base of the outer walls is exposed showing a diameter over all of some 60': it has an elevation of about 11'. Over the area between the base of the broch and the breast-work on the W. the remains of outbuildings are visible below the turf. O.S.M., Caith., xxix. (“Cairn”). Visited 13Lh July 1910. 191. Broch, “Green Hill’’ Roster .—Eising from among the cultivated crofts at Koster, about m. E. of the Camster Koad, is a green mound covering the ruins of a broch. The outer wall of the tower is in places exposed, showing a diameter over all of some 64'. The 52 HISTORICAL :MONITjSIENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Lathbron. elevation of the mound is about 8'. From the base of the broch the slope of the hillock towards the W. seems to indicate on its surface tlie existence of outbuildings. O.S.M., Caitil, xxxiv. (“Mound”). Visited, 14th July 1910. 192. Jiroch, Ballavlily, Siemster. —Situated on the moorland, about j m. S. of Ballachly, is a broch. The structure is almost entirely overgrown with turf; only here and there a few large stones appear on the surface. The mound containing the tower has a diameter of some 76' over all, and an elevation of about 13' at highest. On the E. are the foundations of some outbuildings. The broch has been encircled by a wide ditch, but as the ground around has at one time been under cultivation this is to a great extent obliterated. O.S.M., Caitil, xxviii. Visited, 15th July 1910. 193. Broch, Bruan. —At Bruan, on the S. side of the road, are the remains of a broch for the most part overgrown with turf. The tower has risen from the centre of a hillock cut off by a ditch 28' wide from the surrounding level, and further protected by a breast¬ work along the top of the scarp. The bottom of the ditch lies some 8' below the top of the breastwork or parapet, and about 3-|-' below the top of the counterscarp, but except on the W. it has been almost obliterated by cultivation. The base of the broch is some 31' distant from the edge of the ditch. It appears to have had a diameter over all of some 50' and has a present elevation of from 9' to 10'. O.S.M., Caith., xxxiv. (“ Mound”). Visited, 16th July 1910. 194. Broch, “Gunn's Hillock" or “The Burnt Ha’,” Bruan. —In rear of the Free Church Manse, near the Bridge of East Clyth at Bruan, a mound covers the remains of a broch known as “ Gunn’s Hillock” or “The Burnt Ha’.” It has been to some extent broken into, and cottages have at one time been erected on the top of it. There are no measurable details. O.S.M., Caitil xxxiv. (“Mound”). Visited, 16th July 1910. 195. Broch, Mid Clyth. —By the roadside at Mid Clyth, just in rear of the tenth milestone from Wick, rises a grass-covered hillock which contains the ruins of a broch. The mound over all measures about 110' in diameter, and has an elevation of some 15' above the roadway. No building is visible, and part of the brocll near the top seems at one time to have been removed. O.S.M., Caith., xxxiv. (“ Mound ”). Visited, 16th July 1910. 196. Broch, Tiantulloch, Houstry. —Directly in rear of Tiantulloch croft house is a broch. On the E. the wall face is exposed for a height of about 5' for a considerable part of the periphery. The diameter over all appears to have been about 56', but on the W., part of the mound has been removed. The present elevation to the top of the mound is 1 O'. Towards the NE. is an area evidently occupied by outbuildings. An exposed wall bounds it on the S. with an elevation of a few feet. O.S.M., Caith., xxxiii. Visited, 18th July 1910. 197. Broch, Minera, Newlands of Houstry. —Close by the croft of Minera, Newlands of Houstry, is a grass-covered mound from which INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 53 Parish of Latheron. many large stones protrude showing the ruins of a broch. The wall face at base, formed of large stones, is in places exposed, indicating a diameter over all of 70'. The present elevation is 11' or 12'. There has been a little excavation of the mound on the W. at some remote period, O.S.M., Caith., xxxiii. Visited, 18th July 1910. 198. Broch, Occiimsier. —About ^ m. SE. of Occumster liailway Station there rises from the middle of the arable crofts a grassy mound containing the ruins of a broch. The mound is somewhat conical, and has an elevation at highest of some 12'. Its diameter over all is about 80'. No part of tbe structure is visible. O.S.M , Caith., xxxiv. Visited, 19th July 1910. 199. Broch, Achavar. —Rising from the N. end of a rocky ridge, about 'r m. N. by W. of Occumster Railway Station, and immediately in rear of the buildings of a croft on the W. of the Canister Road, are the remains of a broch. The mound formed by the ruiiis has been to some extent dug into from the top and the E. side, and stones have been removed from it at no distant date, but no part of the structure is exposed. The tower has measured over all some 68', and the present elevation of the mound is about 6'. There is a circular depression on the summit with a diameter of 20' or thereby. Between the base of the broch and the steep slope of the ridge on the N. a terrace has been left, running out towards the N. and S. with a breadth of some 15' to 20'. The O.S. map records that human remains were found here in 1867. O.S.M., Caith., xxxiv. Visited, 19th July 1910. 200. Brock, “ Tulloch Turnal,” Langwell. —About 2 m. to the W. of Langwell House, on the S. side of the road to Wag, are the ruins of a large circular construction which has probably been a broch. It is much dilapidated, and the stones of which it was built have in great measure been removed. 'The diameter over all is some 48' to 50'. Only the two lowest courses of large stones are in places visible, and no features of interest are apparent. O.S.M., Caith., xlii. Visited, 20th July 1910. 201. Broch, ‘'■Burg Langwell!'' —On the S. side of the Langwell Water, about ^ m. due S. of the gamekeeper’s house, and at the upper end of a small glen, are the remains of the broch known as “ Burg Langwell.” Some recent excavation has been done on the structure, and a gallery 2' 8" in width has been exposed on the S., which probably contains the stair, and on the W. for a short distance a portion of a chamber has been opened up through a break in the outer wall at one end. The diameter of the broch over all is some 48', and the thickness of the wall, where exposed above the gallery, 10'. The wall on the exterior is reduced almost to the foundation. O.S.IM., Caith., xlii. Visited, 21st July 1910. 202. Broch, “ Talach Bad a’ Choilich!’ —On a spit of land to the E. of the Allt Bad a’ Choilich, beside the path up the Berriedale Water, and about 1 m. NW. of Langwell House, are the ruins of a 54 HliSTOUICAL aiONUiMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Lathbron. small broch. Towards tlie river, but nowhere else, the lower face of the wall is visible ; no measurements, however, are obtainable. O.S.M., Caith., xlii. Visited, 21st July 1910. 203. Broch, “ An Dun’’ Allt an Duin, Berriedale. — On a prominent position on the moorland, on the top of the steep banks in the angle between the Allt an Duin and the Berriedale Water, stand the ruins of a broch. The tower occupies the centre of a hillock, and has been encircled at its base by a ditch 16' in width and some 6' in depth on the SW., but less well dehned on the other portion of the periphery. The entrance, which has been from the W., is 2' 6" in width, but is much broken down, and the length of the passage is not obtainable without e.vcavation. On the left of the passage has been a guard chamber, the back of which is visible at 14' from the wall of the passage. The diameter of the broch over all has been 46', and the thickness of its wall 11'. The greatest height of wall exposed on both faces is about 3'. To the SW. of the entrance a break in the counterscarp of the ditch gives access to a small circular enclosure dug out of the bank with a diameter of about 11'. O.S.M., Caith., xlii. Visited, 21st July 1910. 204. Broch, OuseclaU Burn .—Situated at the top of a steep bank on the IST. side of the Allt a Bhurg, about 200 yards above its junction with the Ousedale Burn, is a broch (fig. 12, pi. XVIII.). It was ex¬ cavated by Mr James Mackay, F.S.A. Scot., in 1891, and is in a good state of preservation, except above the entrance to the stair where the wall shows signs of dilapidation. The position is strongly defended on one side by the deep glen of the burn, and on the other sides by a well-built wall some 8' in thickness. Against this outer wall, on the W., are the remains of various enclosures probably of secondary con¬ struction. The entrance is from the SW., through a passage 14' in length, 5' 6" in height, and 2' 6" in width. At 3' 9" and 10' 3" from the exterior, slabs set edge-wise in the wall of the passage form checks for doors, and at 6' 7" inwards on the right a doorway 2' 6" high and 2' wide gives access to a guard chamber 8' 6" long, 5' wide, and nearly 8' high. The centre portion of the roof of the guard chamber has fallen in. Seven of the covering slabs over the passage remain in position. The interior diameter is 24'. At 3' to the left of the entrance within the interior is the entrance to a small oval chamber similarnn size to the guard chamber, the roof of which has now fallen in; while on the same side, about a quarter of the distance round the periphery, is tlie entrance to the stair some 3' above the floor level. The stair rises to the right in the centre of the wall, and twelve steps are still visible 3' 6" in width with a tread of about 6". At the foot of the stair is a guard chamber measuring 6' 6" in length, 3' 6" in width, and 8' in height. Over the entrance to the stair are the remains of a window to give light to the first gallery, and similar remains are extant over the main entrance at its interior end. In the inner face of the wall opposite the entrance to the stair is an ambry 5' above the floor level, 2' high and 2' 6" deep. Eising from the floor a scarce- ment about 8' high with a projection of 1' runs round the interior, while, at a distance of 8' apart, large stones having the appearance of corbels jut out from the ledge. On excavation there was found near bin'CTi^ and Historical ^[onu■ments — Caithness. Plate XVIII.—Brocli, Ousedale Burn : entrance from interior (No. 204). 'I'u face p. 55. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 55 Parish of Latheron. the centre of the interior a rectangular setting of flags connected by a V-shaped drain, with a pit 2' 6" in diameter and depth dug out of SECTION TnaoucH CD- -SECTION THROUGH AH - Fig. 12. —Brocli, Ousedale Burn (No. 204) ; Ground-plan and Sections. Scale of Plan, ; of Section, the natural bed and lined with flags. A drain ran round the interior with an exit towards the burn. There was no trace of a well, but a built drain was discovered leading from the outside to a series of tanks formed of flags on the floor level. The outer face of the wall is Oli HISTOKICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Tarish OF Lathekon. now greatly reduced and shows an elevation of only about 4' 9". The inner face, however, remains to a height of 14' and is at no point lower than 9'. During the course of the excavation there was found within the guard chamber, on the right of the entrance, a fire-place 2' square covered with a liag, containing ashes and charcoal, and, in the opening above the entrance to the stair, a human skeleton lying head down¬ wards, covered with small stones and a little earth. There were con¬ siderable remains of secondary occupations observed in the interior above a fioor 2' in thickness, formed of a fine puddled clay which seemed to be original. The relics recovered comprised a granite mortar, several remains of rotary querns, a number of pounding stones, three discs of micaceous schist 8" in diameter, perforated in the centre with holes 2" in diameter, whorls of sandstone and of steatite, two oval pebbles of quartzite with short oblique grooves on their flatter faces (objects now generally recognised as the Early Iron Age equivalents of the flint and steel of later times), a large quantity of fragments of coarse hand-made pottery, a number of whetstones, a part of a wooden dish or scoop with an everted rim, and a piece of a large ring of coarse jet. The relics are preserved in the National Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh. See Antiquaries, xxvi. p. 351 (illus.) O.S.M., Caith., xliv. Visited, 23rd July 1910. 205. Broch, Berriedale .—High above the Berriedale Water on its N. bank, and about m. W. of Berriedale Church, are the ruins of a broch. The structure is much dilapidated and reduced to the lowest courses of masonry on the exterior. In one or two places the outer face of the wall formed of very large stones is exposed. The diameter over all is 54' and the elevation to the top of the conical mound surmounting the ruins 7' to 8'. The position is flanked on the W. by the side of a deep glen and in front by the high steep bank of the Berriedale valley. O.S.M., Caith., xlii. (“ Cairn ”). Visited, 23rd July 1910. 206. Broch, Upper Borgm .—Immediately in rear of the farm of Upper Borgue are the ruins of a large broch considerably overgrown with vegetation. The entrance from ESE. has been partially opened up. It is 3' in width and appears to be in a very perfecc state, but is being used as a place for depositing the kitchen refuse of the neighbouring farm. On the W. a portion of the outer face of the wall has been exposed for a distance of some 40' and a height of 5'. The diameter over all is 63', and across the hollow depression on the top about 30'. The elevation from the base of the building is 12' to 14'. The broch has been built on a natural hillock, and from S. round to NW. it has been defended by a wall some 21' distant from its base. O.S.M., Caith., xlii. Visited, 23rd July 1910. 207. Broc]i,‘' Burg Ruadh’’ Berriedale Water .—About ^ m. N. of the Berriedale Water, at the head of a small lateral valley some 2 m. N W. of Borgue, are the ruins of “ Burg Euadh.” The broch wall on the exterior is in great measure exposed, and on the N., where best INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 57 Parish of Latheron. preserved, it is visible for a height of 7', and is concealed at its base by some 4' of ruin. The diameter over all is 54'. The position of the entrance is not evident and the thickness of the wall unobtainable without excavation. At various points openings into the galleries or chambers are visible. The greatest elevation is some 14'. Towards the S. are indications of outbuildings. O.S.M., Caith., xxxviii. Visited, 23rd July 1910. 208. Brock, Achow. —At Achow, about m. N. of the main road from Lybster to Helmsdale, and about 1 m. W. of Lybster, are the remains of a broch beneath a grassy mound. The area covering the ruins of the tower has a diameter of about 60' and an elevation of about 8'. A slight mound encircles the broch at a short distance from its base, and beyond this towards the W. are indications of outbuildings. 0.S.M., Caith., xxxiii. (“ Mound”). Visited, 26th July 1910. 209. Brock, Smerral .—About 1 m. N. by W. of Latheronwheel House, and about 130 yards E. of the road that leads up the glen of the Latheronwheel Burn, is a broch. It is overgrown with grass except at one or two places whei’e tlie base of the wall is visible. The diameter over all is some 63' and the highest elevation about 12'. Towards the SE. there appear to be remains of outbuildings. The ruin seems to have been pillaged at one time for stones to a small extent. O.S.M., Caith., xxxix. and xliii. (“Mound”). Visited, 26th July 1910. 210. Brock, do. —Some 200 yards N. of the last-mentioned broch (No. 209), on the N. end of a rocky ridge, are the remains of numerous constructions. Near the centre there seems to have been a broch with a diameter over all of some 66', but it is much dilapi¬ dated and the outline is not very evident. Its elevation is about 5'. On the N. and S., and especially on the E., are surface indications of numerous outbuildings. O.S.M., Caith., xxxiii. Visited, 26th July 1910. 211. Brock, Latkeronwkeel. — About in. W. of Latheronwheel House, at the upper side of a field adjoining ihe moorland, rises a green mound the centre of which contains the ruins of a broch. Over all the tower measures some 66' in diameter and 6' to 8' in height, while a depression on the summit indicating the extent of the court measures 27' in diameter. On the N. and W. sides are still visible the remains of an encircling wall about 12' out from the apparent base of the broch crowning the scarp of the mound which is about 6' in height. O.S.M., Caith., xxxix. and xliii. (“Mound”). Visited, 26th July 1910. 212. Brock, Burn of LtUheronivhcd .—Perched on the edge of the high W. bank of the glen of the Burn of Latheronwheel, about | m. below the road bridge, are the ruins of a broch. They are almost entirely covered with vegetation, except on the S., where the wall is exposed to a height of 2' or 3' and fur a distance of some 10'. At 58 HISTORICAL MONUaiENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Paiush of Lathekon. the same place there is visible a portion of what appears to be an outer casing wall. The diameter of the structure over all is some 53' and the elevation of the mound about 10'. It is stated that during the course of some excavation of this broch many years ago as many as forty human skulls were found. There is not, however, any contemporaneous record of this. O.S.M., Caith., xxxix. and xliii. (“ Mound”). Visited, 37th July 1910. 213. Broch, Balantraih, Dmibeaih Strath. —Situated on a rock on the left bank of the Dunbeath Water, just opposite the debouchement of the Achorn Burn, and at the base of a high wooded bank, are the ruins of a broch. As far as ascertainable the diameter over all has been some 60'. The greatest elevation, which is on the side distant from the river, is 9' or 10'. On this side a trench appears to have been cut, isolating the portion of the rock on which the broch stands from the bank in rear of it. O.S.M., Caith., xxxviii Visited, 28th July 1910. 214. Broch, Achorn, Dunbeath. —In the highest of the cultivated fields about - 3 - m. WSW. of Balcraggy Lodge is a grassy mound con¬ taining the ruins of a broch. The outline of the broch is not recognisable, but the diameter of the mound is 70' and its greatest elevation 11'. Much of the ruin has apparently been removed. O.S.M., Caith., xxxviii. Visited, 28th July 1910. 215. Broch, Dunbeath. — Situated at the eastern point of the watershed between the Dunbeath Water and the Burn of Houstry are the remains of the broch of Dunbeath. The broch, which was excavated many years ago by Mr Thomson Sinclair, younger of Dun¬ beath, and briefly described by Dr Joseph Anderson in Archocotogia Scotica, is now enclosed within a walled enclosure, and the trees which have grown up around it as well as in the interior court, are not beneficial for its preservation. The entrance is from the SE. through a passage 14' in length and 3' 6 " in width at its outer extremity. At 3' 10" inwards the passage expands to 4', checks being thus formed on either side for a door, and 5' 6 " beyond on the right hand side a slab set edgewise to the passage wall appears to mark the position of a second door. Between these door checks on the right has been the entrance to a guard chamber now broken down. The back wall of the chamber is, however, still standing at 14' in from the side of the passage. The dimensions of this chamber when excavated are said to have been: length 12 ' 6 ", width 6 ' 6 ", and height to the highest part of the converging sides 13'. A small portion of the roofing remains at the back 6 ' above the floor level. The interior diameter of the broch is 27'. The entrance to and position of the stair are not now recognisable. Slightly to the N. of a point directly opposite the main entrance is an entrance 2' 4" wide, 2' 4" long, and now 3' 3" high, giving access to an oblong and almost rectangular chamber, measuring 8 ' in length, 6 ' in greatest width, and 10 ' 2 " in height from the present floor level to the slab which forms the apex of the roof. In the S. wall 3' 5" above the floor level is a small ambry 1' 5" in height, 1' 2" in breadth, and 1' in depth; in the N. wall at the same INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 59 Parish of Latheron. level is another measuring 1' Q" x 1' 8" x 9" ; and in the wall opposite the entrance a third exactly 10" square. For the full length of the N. wall at the level of the base of the ambry runs a shelf 10" in breadth, now partially broken off. This chamber is entire except for a slight break in the wall in the angle to the right of the entrance. The greatest height of wall visible in the interior is 13', and, except for about one-third of the circumference to the left of the main entrance, there is an average elevation of from 10' to 12' all round. The thickness of the wall as shown by the length of the entrance passage is 14'. At a height of about 6' 4" above the present floor level in the interior there is a scarcement about 1' in width. The greatest height of wall visible on the exterior is 9'. There was found on excavation on the S. side of the interior a pit-like structure I’esembling a well 4' or 5' in diameter. The relics recovered consisted of deer horns; a section of an antler about an inch long chipped and ground at both ends; bones of the ox, of a large dog, or, possibly, of a wolf, of sheep, and swine. There were also numbers of fish bones and shells of edible molluscs; a piece of freestone thickly covered with indentations that looked as if they had been produced by rubl)iug or grinding some kind of metal instru¬ ment edgewise upon it; several nodules of iron ore mixed with the animal remains, as also an iron “ spear-head ” 5" in length. Close to the wall and on the clay bottom was discovered a quantity of burnt grain, viz. here and oats. See Arckceologia Scotica, v., pt. i. p. 144 ; Mem. Anihrop. Soc. Land., iii. p. 238. O.S.M., Caitii., xxxix. and xliii. Visited, 28th July 1910. 216. Brock, KnoAdnnun. —On the W. side of the high road to Wick, and about 1 m. N. of Dunbeath, a grassy mound marks the ruins of a broch. It is conical and has a diameter at base of 67' and an elevation of 12' to 13'. On the N. side, some 12' distant from the supposed base of the tower, is a portion of an encircling wall or bank some 6' in elevation on the inner side and 10' on the outer face. O.S.M., Caith., xxxix. and xliii. (“Mound”). Visited, 28th July 1910. 217. Broch, Upper Latheron. —A short distance to the W. of the high road near the farm of Upper Latheron, and about f m. S. of the road bridge at Latheronwheel, on the top of a rock, are the remains of a broch overgrown with grass. The diameter of the structure is not accurately ascertainable without excavation but it seems to be about 57'. The elevation is about 7'. A small portion of wall is exposed on the NE. Along the rock towards the E. there appear to be the remains of outbuildings. O.S.M., Caith., xxxix. and xliii. (“ Mound ”). Visited, 28th July 1910. 218. Broch, “ Appnag Tidloch," Forse. —On the summit of an out¬ cropping rock rising from a meadow about \ m. due N. of Forse House are the ruins of a broch known as the “ Appnag Tulloch.” Except where exposed by some recent excavation, the ruins are entirely overgrown with grass. The entrance to the broch has been tiO HISTOKICAI. MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Pahish of Latheron. from the W. and the inner end of the passage, S' in width, has been exposed for a short distance. The diameter of the broch over all has been some 60' and the thickness of the wall from 12' to 13'. The greatest elevation of the monnd containing the ruins is about 8'. Towards the E. at the e^lge of the rock are the remains of an outer breastwork which has strengthened the position on the easy gradient at this end of the rocky ridge. On the W., in front of the entrance, inequalities on the surface indicate the existence of outbuildings, and lo the NW. two or three large slabs set on end protrude from 1' to 2|' above the ground. The two standing-stones indicated on the O.S. map as situated here are not now visible. O.S.M., Caith., xxxiii. Visited, 29th July 1910. 219. Broch, Rumster. —About 1;J^ m. N. of Eorse House, and some 200 yards W. by S. of Eumster Farm, a grassy hillock rises from the side of a field containing the ruins of a broch. In one or two places the wall face is exposed. The diameter over all is 52' and the greatest elevation 9'. O.S.M., Caith., xxxiii. Visited, 29th July 1910. 220. Brock, Golsary.—^omQ 80 yards SW. of the croft of Golsary rises a conical grassy mound containing the ruins of a broch. The tower has been built upon a rock rising by a gradual slope from the S. to a height of some 12' above the surrounding level. On the E. a small burn flows by its base. The outer face of the wall is in several places visible. The diameter over all is 56' and the greatest elevation 11' or 12'. Along the slope of the ridge towards the S. are surface indications of outbuildings. On the N., at a distance of from 18' to 20' from the base of the broch, a rampart or wall runs across the ridge some 3' 6" high on the inner side. In front of this brea,stwork a trench, flat at bottom, 27' in width, and 9' in depth below the top of the rampart and 7' below the crest of the counterscarp, runs from side to side. O.S.M., Caith., xxxiii. Visited, 29th July 1910. 221. Broch, “ Usshilly Tidlocli’' Forse .—About ^ m. W. by N. of Eorse House, on a low outcropping rock overgrown with grass, are the remains of a broch bearing the name of “ Usshilly Tulloch.” Many large stones lie exposed over the surface. The face of the wall is not well defined, but the diameter over all appears to be about 64'. The elevation is from 6' to 8'. 'I'he ruin at some remote time has been dug into on the E. There are surface indications of considerable outbuildings on all sides except the N. O.S.M., Caith., xxxiii. Visited, 29th July 1910. 222. Broch, ‘"Qreysteil Castle” Loch Ranyag .—Situated on a low spit of land projecting into Loch Eangag on its eastern shore, about ^ m. from the N. end, are the ruins of a broch known as “ Greysteil Castle.” Contrary to the usual condition the ruins are not overgrown with vegetation. 'The base of the wall on the exterior is visible at several points and indicates a diameter over all of about 69'. The thickness of the wall has been from 14' to 15'. The entrance has been from the landward side, but the passage is ruined beyond recognition. On the INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 61 Pakish of Latiieron. right of it has been a guard chamber the back wall of which is visible. On the N. a chamber has been exposed, some 11' in length by 5' in width. The greatest elevation of the ruin is about 12'. Across the neck of the spit, at some 26' from the base of the broch, a wall has been built 8' in thickness, curving from shore to shore con¬ centrically with the broch. Through the centre of this wall a passage 6' in width, walled on either side, leads to the entrance. The author of the “ Description of the Parish of Lathron,” in Macfarlane’s Geographical Colleciions, refers to this broch as having “ane avenue to it, where the red curren grows and bears fruit.” See Macfarlane’s Geog. Coll., i. p. 169. O.S.M., Caith., xxviii. Visited, 30th July 1910. 223. Fort, “ An Dmi,” Borgue. —Situated on the coast near Borgue is a remarkable peninsular rock, connected to the mainland by a natural bridge at a much lower level than either, and about 6' wide at the top. The peninsula is a hog-backed ridge lying parallel to the coast line, and sloping steeply to precipitous cliffs on either side, but with a longer slope to seaward, and rising in elevation towards its southern end. Only at the highest point is there any level ground, and there only an area of about 20' square. Along the ridge facing the bridge is exposed a section of a wall, and there are slight indications of its continuance to southward. O.S.M., Caith., xlii. Visited, 22nd March 1911. , 224. Fortified Enclosure, Langwell .—On the top of the S. bank of the Langwell Water, some 260 yards to the SSE. of the road bridge below Cnoc Bad Fhasgaidh, and about 100 yards below the moor road, is a circular enclosure whose walls have evidently been spoiled to build an adjacent cottage and fold, now in ruins. The interior, which is slightly below the surrounding level, measures 32' in diameter. The wall, which appears to have been faced on either side with large stones, is about 11' in thickness, some 4' in elevation above the ground level of the interior, and 3' above that on the outside. The entrance has been from the S. O.S.M., Caith., xlii. (“ Piets’ Houses ”). Visited, 21st July 1910. Hut Circles, etc. 225. Hut Circles, Warehouse Hill.- —On the lowest spur of Ware¬ house Hill, about f m. N. of Warehouse farm and just at the head of the glen that runs N. from the house, is a group of three hut circles. The uppermost circle has an interior diameter of some 18', a bank some 8' in thickness but now of low elevation, and the entrance from the S. In the interior the ruins seem to imply some structure the character of which is not now apparent. To the SE. lie two or three small stony mounds seemingly artificial. About 100 yards to the SE. is the second circle, the interior diameter of which is 23', and the entrance from the SSE. It has been formed with a stone wall 7' in thickness and still in places 2' in height: there are no definite signs of subdivision in the interior. Some 13' across the wall to the W. is a small circular enclosure built 62 HISTORICAL >rONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Latheron. of stone abutting on the outer wall, with an interior diameter of some 7'. Peyoiid it on its W. side has been apparently another, with a diameter of 8'. The entrance to these outer circles is also from the SSE. Some 8' out from the entrance to the main circle, and directly in front of it, are the ruins of another small stone-built structure of indefinite plan. To the E. is a round stony mound with a diameter of some 12'. Some 50 yards SE. of the last are the indistinct remains of the third circle; it is overgrown with vegetation and not measurable. Some 40' to the NW. of it is a mound measuring about 17' in diameter and 3' in height, while to the S. of the circle lies another small mound with a diameter of some 6'. O.S.M., Caith., xxix. (unnoted). Visited, 13th July 1910. 226. Hut Circle, Camster. —On the top of a high bank above the road to the N. of the Easan Burn which crosses beneath a road bridge -J- m. N. of Camster Lodge, is a hut circle. The interior has been dug out to a slight depth and has a diameter of some 12'. The bank, which is of peat, is overgrown with heather, and the position of the entrance is not evident. O.S.M., Caith., xxix. Visited, 14th July 1910. 227. Hit Circles, Newlands of Houstry. —At the top of the cultivated land immediately to the E. of the broch at Minera (No. 197), partially within the field and partially on the moor above the dyke, is a prominent hut circle. It is situated on the slope of the hill and the interior has been dug out to make a level floor, so that wliile the elevation of the top of the bank on the upper side of the circle is about 6', that on the lower is 2'. The bank, which measures 10' to 12' in thickness, is stony and well defined. The interior diameter is 32'. The position of the entrance is not apparent. Some 150 yards SSE. of the last circle is another, the bank of which is of turf and stone, and several large blocks appear to be in situ on the outer and inner faces. The thickness of the bank is from 7' to 8', and the interior diameter of the circle 32'. The position of the entrance is not evident. O.S.M., Caith., xxxiii. (“ Tumulus”). Visited, 18th July 1910. 228. Hut Circle, Camster Lodge. —Above the bank on the W. of the Camster Koad, and just to the N. of the plantation of Camster Lodge, is a hut circle. It is circular in form, entering from the S., with an interior diameter of 26', and is enclosed by a bank of turf now of low elevation some 8' in width. To the S. within the wood, occupying slight hillocks, are the ruins of other constructions which have probably been shieling bothies. O.S.M., Caith., xxix. (“Tumuli”). Visited, 19th July 1910. 229. Hut Circle, The Wag, Langwell. —About \ m. SSE. of Wag and some 80 yards below the road is a hut circle. Originally it appears to have been a turf-built, pear-shaped construction, measur¬ ing some 25'X 36' interiorly, and having its entrance from SSE., but in a secondary occupation the interior has been reduced to a circular form by a wall built across from side to side in a curve, having its convex face towards the original entrance. The bank of the original INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 63 Parish of Latheron. structure, so far as utilised, has been faced on the interior with stone, and an entrance has been broken through from the W. by S. The diameter of the secondary circle is 18'. Some 40 yards to the NE. is a small mound with a diameter of about 12' and an elevation of 2y. O.S.M., Caith., xli. (unnoted). Visited, 20th July 1910. 230. Hut Circles, do. —About 100 yards below the road from Langwell to Wag, and just opposite the seventh milestone, is a turf enclosure occupying the summit of a small elevation. It is slightly pear-shaped, with an interior diameter of 26'x28'. The entrance is from the S. and is some 3' in width. 'The enclosing bank, which is faced with stone, is some 7' to 8' in thickness. The level of the interior is slightly below that of the surrounding ground. Some 30' to the E. are the indefinite remains of another hut circle of rather smaller dimensions entering from the S. O.S.M., Caith., xli. (unnoted). Visited, 20th July 1910. 231. Hut Circles and Mounds, Berriedale. —Some 200 yards N. of the broch above the Allt an Duin and near the cairn (No. 269) are the distinct remains of a large hut circle. Some 25 yards NE. lies another, measuring interiorly some 37' X 42', and having its entrance from the SE. about 6' wide, while the remains of a third, ill-defined, are visible some 30 yards to the S. In the vicinity are one or two small mounds, while scattered along the slope of the hill below, for a distance of several hundred yards, are a number of other mounds of from 12' to 18' in diameter and 2' to 2' 6" in height. O.S.M., Caith., xlii. (“Cairns”). Visited, 21st July 1910. 232. Hut Circle, Bracmore. —On a haugh below Con na Craige, and some 80 yards N. of the Berriedale Water, is a circular depression measuring interiorly some 28' x 32', and some 3' 6" in depth below the surrounding level, with an entrance from ESE. It appears to have been faced with stone, and to have been divided into two compart¬ ments. The width of the entrance is indefinite. O.S.M., Caith., xxxviii. (unnoted). Visited, 22nd July 1910. 233. Hut Circle, Breac-leathad, Braemore. —About m. NW. of Braemore Lodge are a number of hut circles mostly lying about 80 yards above the road. The most westerly above the road measures interiorly some 32' x 35' and is entered from ESE. There is much stone lying in the interior but no remains of any definite structure. The enclosing bank, which is formed of turf and stone, is mucli worn down. Almost contiguous lies miother circle, with an interior diameter of 25' to 26', and its entrance from the same direction. The bank, which is faced with stone, is about 5' in thickness. A few feet to the W. of the entrance to the first circle is a low stony mound with a diameter of about 10'. Some 80 yards E. of the last is another hut circle measuring interiorly 25'X 27'and entering from the SE. The bank is about 5' in thickness, and is faced on the interior with upright stones. The width of the entrance is indefinite. Some 300 yards NW. of Braemore Lodge is another hut circle. 64 HISTORICAL monuments (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Latheron. It has an enclosing bank formed of turf and stone some 5' 6" in thickness, and measures interiorly 31'x34'. The entrance has been from the SK. and appears to have been about 5' in width. Some 40' to the S. of it is another with a bank of turf some 5' 6" in thickness, faced in the interior with stones set on end. The interior diameter is 34'x 36- and the entrance is from the SE. O.S.M., Caith., xxxviii. (unnoted). Visited, 22nd July 1910. 234. Hid Circles, Braemore .—Some 100 yards back from the S. bank of the Berriedale Water, and about the same distance to the E. of the deer fence eastward of Achnalaid, are the remains of a pear- shaped enclosure, in the wall of which very large slabs have been used sunk deeply endwise into the ground. It has an interior diameter of 27' x 35' and has been entered from the N. The wall seems to have been about 5' 6" in thickness, and to have been formed of turf or some perishable material between an outer and inner facing of large stones which alone remain. On the right of what appears to have been the entrance and within the interior is a small circular chamber with an interior diameter of some 5'. The details of the construction are, however, difficult to expiscate. On a slight elevation some 80' to the E. of the last is another similar construction, the wall face of which is formed of large slabs set on edge protruding about 2' from the ground. It has an interior diameter of some 30'. O.S.M., Caith., xxxviii. Visited, 22nd July 1910. Hid Circles, Aclinaclyth, Dunheatli Strath. 235. Some f m. SSE. of the shepherd’s house at Achnaclyth, on the slope of the hill and about \ m. S. of the Dunbeath Water, is a hut circle. The wall or bank surrounding it is overgrown, but a facing of stones set on end around the exterior is here and there visible. The interior diameter is some 30' and the thickness of the bank about 7'. The entrance is from the E., and its breadth-is indefinite. Some 40 yards S. of the last is another hut circle, with interior dimensions of 23'x25' and an entrance from the E. 2' in width. The wall, which is 6' thick, has been faced on the exterior with large flat stones from 2' to 3' in length and 1' in thickness laid almost contiguously. O.S.M., Caith., xxxviii. (“ Piet’s House ”). Visited, 29th July 1910. 236. About f m. SSW. of Achnaclyth are the remains of other hut circles much worn away, the w.alls of which have been faced on the exterior with stone. The best defined of the group has an interior measurement of 31'x 35' and a bank 9' wide at base entirely overgrown. A slight mound near the centre of the interior and a few stones protruding from it suggest the existence of an inner structure. 237. About ^ m. due S. of Achnaclyth are two hut circles some 80' distant from each other. The one has interior measurements 21'x25' and is entered from the E., while the other is too much worn away for detailed description. (O.S. “Piets’ Houses.”) O.S.M., Caith., xxxviii. Visited, 27th July 1910. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 65 Parish of Latheron. 238. Mounds, Bridge of Rheumllen, Dunheath.—On both sides of the road wliich leads from Dunbeath to Achiiaclyth, and about | m. above where the Houstry Burn flows into the Water of Dunbeath, are some eight or nine stony mounds varying in diameter from 15' to 26', and the highest having an elevation of about 4'. They are situated for the most part on the lower side of the road. There are no distinct remains of hut circles among them. O.S.M., Caith., xxxix. and xliii. (unnoted). Visited, 28th July 1910. 239. Hut Circle, Balcraggy. —On a stretch of moorland between the top of the S. bank of the Dunbeath Water and the road to Braemore, m. SSE. of Balcraggy Lodge and about 100 yards from the road, is a hut circle. It is circular, with an interior diameter of some 28', entered from the E., and surrounded with a bank of turf and stone much broken down. An old stone wall has at one time run along the N. side of it, and from the inner face of the bank stones appear to have been lifted. O.S.M., Caith., xxxviii. (“Piet’s House”). ; Visited, 28th July 1910. ' 240. Hut Circle, Forse. — About 100 yards SSE. of the galleried > structure (No. 263), in the line of an ancient wall built with very ! large stones, is a small circular enclosure open towards the SE., with an interior diameter of 10'. The wall is connected with it at either side. 241. Mounds, Forse. —On the top of the cliffs to the S. of the ji mouth of the Forse burn and about i m. S. of Eorse, are a numl)er of [ low stony mounds of some 14' to 18' in diameter. Their true 1 character is uncertain. O.S.M., Caith., xxxix. and xliii. (“Tumuli”). Visited, 29th July 1910. 242. Mounds, Acliaraskill. —On a green haugh on the left bank of ! the Allt Keidhe Mhoir, about ^ m. to the W. of Acliaraskill, are some half dozen small stony mounds each with a diameter of about 16'. The haugh appears to have been under cultivation, and while some of 1 the mounds may be the ruins of bothies, others are possibly merely heaps of stones gathered off the cultivated land. O.S.M., Caith., xxviii. (“ Cairns”). Visited, 30th July 1910. Hut Circles, Forse. 243. Towards the S. end of the enclosed moorland that lies to the W. and SW. of Forse House, and about m. SW. of the house, is a group of hut circles. One situated some 50 yards W. of the wall enclosing a decayed plantation has a diameter over all of 35', and the wall which surrounds it, though overgrown and not very clearly defined, appears to be about 6' 6" in thickness. The entrance has been from the E., and one portal stone just protrudes through the turf. 244. Some 200 yards to the NW. of the last are three hut circles situated in close proximity to one another. The centre one, which 66 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Latheron. occupies a sliglitly higher elevation than the others, has an interioi diameter of 26'. The bank, which is much dilapidated, is stony and has probably been built. The entrance is from the SE. but is of indefinite width. In front of this circle is a circular enclosure, with a diameter of about 40 yards, demarcated by a line of huge slabs and boulders. The circle to the S. is too dilapidated for accurate defini¬ tion. In the centre of it is a circular hollow some 8' in diameter and 2' 6" in depth, apparently built at the back. The third circle lies to the E. of the first and almost contiguous. It has an interior diameter of 19' and is entered from the SE. by a passage 2' 9" in width. The thickness of the wall is indefinite. 245. About 100 yards W. of the last is another hut circle much ‘ ruined and with many displaced stones lying in the inteiior. The interior diameter has been some 24', tlie thickness of the wall 6', and the entrance from the SE. Some 30' to the NE., and connected by a line of large boulders, is another small circle formed in the arc of a large circular enclosure defined by boulders and slabs set upright. In connection with these circles are various curving lines of great slabs and boulders, set on end, forming the boundaries of enclosures. O.S.M., Caith., xxxiii. Visited, 20th September 1910. Earth-Houses. 246. Earth-house, Langwell .—Some 200 yards W. of the head gamekeeper’s house at Langwell, within the wood, and close to the park railings, is an earth-house. Access is gained to it by a hole broken through the roof towards its inner end, the portion towards the entrance being unopened. At the aperture it is 5' 3" in width. It extends inwards for a distance of 10' 6", expands to 6' at greatest width, and measures at highest 4' 7" above the debris that covers the floor. The sides are built of boulders, the end is rounded, and the roof formed of flagstones. One of these flags crossing the gallery at its broadest part measures over 6' 2" in length, and 4' 2" in width. Near the opening an upright stone set in the floor 2' out from the N. wall forms a pillar for support of the flag above it. O.S.M., Caith., xlii. (“ Piet’s House ”). Visited, 20th July 1910. 247. Earth-house, Brae na h-Eaglais .—At Strathy, some m. up the Long Burn, above its junction with the Langwell Water and to the W. of it, has been exposed a portion of an earth-house. It is situated among the foundations of what appear to have been a crofter settlement, and its relation to any early structure is not now recog¬ nisable. Entrance is gained with difficulty from the SE. end through an aperture below a lintel, the gallery at this extremity being almost choked with soil and ruins. Within, the passage is 3' wide and 3' 10" in greatest height above the present floor level. It extends for a distance of 17' curving slightly to the left, where it is blocked with debris, and a small opening on the surface probably indicates that the roof has fallen. The sides are built with boulders, and the roof is formed of flags laid across from wall to wall. O.S.M., Caith., xlii. (“ Piet’s House ”). Visited, 20th July 1910. Ih t 4 'V, 3 % fie* Aiiciciil and Higf'On'ral Monuments — t'aiihness. Pi.ATE XX.—(ralleried Dwelling, Laugwell : previons to excavation (No. 250). To face f. 67. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 67 Parish of Latheron. Galleiued Dwellings. 248. Galleried DwelliiKj, Wagmore Rigg .—At the eastern end of Wagmore Kigg, in Langwell deer forest, some f in. W. of the houses at Wag, and occupying the summit of a slight elevation, are the ruins of a circular galleried structure (pi. XIX.), consisting of two conjoined circles lying N. and S. of each other with separate entrances. The southmost circle is enclosed by a wall built of large stones, now some 2 in height and 4' 4" in thickness, which on the outside appears to have been banked up with soil. The entrance is from E. by S. through a passage 6' in length, 2' 6" in width at the exterior and 3' 10" at the inner end. At 4' from the outside a rebate of some 9" on either side forms checks for a door, faced with thin slabs set edgewise into the side walls. The width of the passage immediately outside the checks is 2' 3". Interiorly the circle has a diameter of 29'. At 3' inwards from the face of the wall occur, at intervals of from 6' to 8', upright stones, standing to a height of some 3' above present ground level, and measuring about V 6" in breadth by 8" in thickness or there¬ by, set edge on to the centre of the circle. Peaching from the wall to these upright pillars have been placed large slabs some 6' in length, 2' 3" at greatest breadth, and some 7" in thickness. Some of these are pointed and others rectangular at the inner end. Three of these slabs still remain in situ, and many others lie displaced within the enclosure. The diameter of the area between opposite pillars is some 17'. The other or northrnost circle has been similar but of less diameter, measuring across the interior some 19' to 20'. From it the slabs have in great measure been removed, but sufficient remain to show that the plan has been the same. The diameter between opposite pillars is about 13'. The entrance has also been from E. by S., but its details are not now obtainable. In front of the entrance are foundations of other structures probably secondary. O.S.M., Caitil, xli. Visited, 20th July 1910. 249. Galleried Dwellings, Morven .—Near the base of Morven, on its eastern flank, and to the E. of the prominence known as Morven Seat, situated on slightly rising ground in boggy surroundings, are the ruins of two constructions of the same character as that last described. A large sheep fold, however, stands near, and to its construction is no doubt due the state of dilapidation into which they have fallen. Much of the outer walls have been removed. They have been constructed on the same principle but not on the same plan. The upper of the two measures 86' in greatest length by 46' in breadth, and appears to have been either oval or pear-shaped, with a gallery along the NW. a small part of which remains standing. The second ruin lies some 40' S. by E. of the other. At the upper end is a circular enclosure with an interior diameter of 21'. The pillar stones some 3' in from the inner face remain in situ-, but most of the covering slabs have been removed. Projecting from the outer side of the circle towards the EISE. for a distance of some 54', of which the interior measures 48' and the wall 6', is an oblong structure. Parallel with the N. wall of this and 4' within it, is another wall some 3' 6" in thickness, between which and the wall insTOKICAL monuments (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. (iS Pa KISH OE Latiiekon. on the R. runs a gallery some 12' wide. The row of pillar stones along either side of this gallery still remains in situ, but the flags whicli rested on them lie dislodged. Both ruins are in a very con¬ fused state and the plans impossible to determine without excavation. O.S.M., Caith., xli. (“Piet’s House”). Visited, 20th July 1910. 250. Galleried Dtvelling, Langwell. — On the S. side of the Langwell Water, some 200 yards NW. from the ruins of “Burg Langwell” (No. 201), and at the upper end of the birch wood on the W. side of the ravine which dips down to the river, are the remains of a galleried structure (fig. 13, pi. XX.). It is formed with two distinct enclosures. On the N. is a circular area, measuring interiorly some 27', enclosed by a wall about 6' in thickness and entered from the outside at the NW. In the thickness of the wall on the W. side is a curved recess, some 6' in length by 2' in breadth. Bounding the entrance on the left is a cairn-like mound formed of large stones considerably intermixed with soil, and probably formed from the ex¬ cavated material of the second enclosure, measuring 20' in diameter and some 3' 6" in elevation. Adjoining the above enclosure, on the E., is an oblong structure whose outer wall curves round at the N. to meet the cairn on its side opposite the entrance to the circle. It measures interiorly some 48' in length by from 13' to 14' in breadth, and has been divided into two divisions at 28' from the SW. end by a wall through which there is a doorway 3' wide. In the inner division so formed have been three upright stone pillars along each side—one of which has fallen—5' to 6' in height, 6' apart, and varying from 2' 3" to 4' 7" in distance from the side walls. These have supported the outer ends of massive slabs, of which one only now remains in situ, stretching from the top of the wall, and measuring 6' 9" in length, from 1' 4" to 3' 9" in breadth, and 11" in thickness. This structure has been partially excavated. The floor at the back or inner end was found to lie some 4' to 5' below the surrounding level, while at the opposite end, in the direction of the slope of the ground, it was sunk about 2'. There were found on excavation the upper portion of a rotary quern, also a saddle quern in situ on the floor with the rubbing stone which had been used upon it. One small piece of iron greatly corroded also came from the floor level, but no pottery was discovered. O.S.M., Caith., xlii. (“Piet’s House”). Visited, 22nd March 1911. 251. Galleried Divelling, Braemore. —At Achinavish croft, about 1 m. down the Berriedale Water from Braemore Lodge, and some 80 yards back from the N. bank of the river, are the remains of what has probably been a galleried structure. A number of upright stones remain, which appear to have formed the supporting pillars of a gallery in a circular construction, whose diameter over all is some 37' X 44'. O.S.M., Caith., xxxviii. Visited, 22nd July 1910. 252. Galleried Dvjelling, do. —Near Braemore, on a low hillock about I m. E. of the deer fence to the E. of Achnalaid, and on the S. side ancient and historical monuments-caithness. t. • «a m Secr/of^ C-D I I INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 69 Parish of Latheron. of the Berriedale Water, are the remains of a galleried structure. In plan it is a circular enclosure measuring interiorly 23' x 26', with a wall some 6' in thickness, and an entrance from the E., having towards the NE. an oblong projection 84' in length and 16' in breadth, interior measurements. Along both sides of this wing have been galleries, the pillars of which have been placed at about 4' distant from the side walls and from 3' 6" to 5' 6" apart in each row, leaving a space of 5' 6" in width between the rows on either side. As in the corresponding structure at Langwell (No. 250), this wing appears to have been separated from the main enclosure by a partition wall through which was a doorway. Around the wall of the circle there seems also to have been a gallery, two pillars of which remain m sit a. The height of the pillars is some 2' 6" above present ground level. The details of the entrance to the main enclosure are indefinite. O.S.M., Caith., xxxviii. Visited, 22nd July 1910. 253. Galleried Dwellmg, do .—In the same situation and somewhat nearer to the river than the last are the remains of another construc¬ tion of the same kind but of different plan. It appears to have consisted of two circular or sub-oval enclosures, the one opening out of the back of the other and having their longest axes in alignment. The largest circle measures interiorly some 25'x 26' and is entered from the SSE. through a passage 9' in length and 3' 6" in width. Through the wall at the back, an opening some 3' 10" in width gave access to the smaller circle which measured interiorly 17' X 19'. Around the larger circle one or two pillars remain in situ, and several large slabs lie prone in the interior. In the smaller circle, though no pillars remain, a number of large stones lie near the base of the wall. The wall of the whole construction at the highest is about 1' 6" in height. In the wall of the smaller circle on the E. side is a small circular chamber with a diameter of about 5'. To the NW. are the indefinite remains of what may have been another chamber, while in the immediate vicinity are various indeterminate foundations. O.S.M., Caith., xxxviii. Visited, 22nd July 1910. 254. Galleried Divellmg, do. — On the N. bank of the Berriedale Water, some 300 yards E. of Achinavish and about 100 yards back from the river, are the ruins of a similar galleried structure. The main enclosure has been circular, with a diameter of 26', having to the W. of it another compartment now of indefinite plan. In both of these the upright pillars are here and there visible and a number of large slabs lie overturned in the interior. O.S.M., Caith., xxxviii. Visited, 22ud July 1910. 255. Galleried Dwelling, Bail a’ Chairn . —Situated on the right bank of the Berriedale Water, about 3 m. above Braemore Lodge and not many yards back from the stream, are the remains of a large galleried construction. It is now much ruined and the large covering slabs have been for the most part removed, but many of the pillars which supported them in the interior are still standing. I’he slructure has been circular, with an interior diameter of about 55' 70 msTOHICAL MONUJNfEXTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Tarish of Latheron. and walls 5' in thickness. The entrance has been from the SE. through a passage some 4' wide, in the interior are the remains of a circle of pillars placed some 5' to 6' distant from each other, and 5' within the inner face of the wall. Only eight pillars now remain in the circle. On the W. some 5' further in towards the centre are other two, and occupying a corresponding position relative to the circle above mentioned on the NE. is another. These possibly indicate the previous existence of an inner circle. Only one of the slabs which covered the gallery remains in situ,.* O.S.M., Caith., xxxvii. 256. Galleried Dwelling, “ Wag Mor-,” Dunbeatli Strath. —On the E. side of the Raffin burn, about 2^ m. above its junction with the Dunbeatli Water at Achnaclyth, on a grassy slope beside a sheep stell, are the ruins of two or three galleried structures. The place is known as “ Wag Mor,” and is within the Dunbeatli deer forest. The structures are much ruined and their plans indistinct. That best preserved appears to have been an oblong building measuring some 47' in length interiorly, divided by a cross wall at 20' from the inner end. Its width seems to have been about 6' at the entrance at the outer end, and to have expanded to 8' or 9' at the opposite extremity. The walls have been built of large flat slabs and the structures have been of the galleried type. O.S.M., Caith., xxxii. (“Piets’ Houses”). Visited, 27th July 1910. 257. Galleried Dioelling, “ Tlie Wag,” Achnaclyth, Dunheatlc Strath. —About f 111 . SE. of Achnaclyth on the low ground by the side of the Wag burn, and adjoining a large sheep-fold, are the remains of three or more galleried houses bearing the name of “ The Wag.” They all appear to have been oblong on plan, with rounded ends. The best preserved (pi. XXL), which lies E. and W., measures some 34' in length and 15' in breadth. The entrance appears to have been through the S. wall at 23' from the W. end. The thickness of the wall has been about 6' 6". The pillars, several of which remain in situ, have been placed at from 3' to 3' 9" from the side walls, and at distances of 4' 9" and 6' from each other in the rows. The space in the centre between the rows of pillars measures 5' 8" across. Only two of the covering stones remain in position, one on each side. That on the N. is 6' in length and 2' 8" in breadth, that on the S. 5' 9" long and 2' 6" in breadth. They are both about 8" in thickness. The greatest height of wall remaining exposed is 3', and the highest pillar measures 2' 8" above ground. The width of the entrance is not evident. Outside, as also at the E. end, there are indefinite remains of building. The walls, as usual in these structures, are built of large flat stones carefully laid. 0 S.M., Caith,, xxxviii. (“ Piets’ Houses”). Visited, 27th July 1910. 258. Galleried Dwelling, Achnaclyth, do. —On the X. bank of the Dunbeath Water, about 1^- m. below Achnaclyth and some f m. to * Owing to the state of the weather an inspection of these remains was not effected, but details have been supplied by Donald Mackay, Esep, Braemore. [lidi'iit (i/id llistiinral Moiinments — Caithne^.i. Platk XXI.—(ralleried Dwelling, “The Wag,” Achnaclyth (No. 25,). l’i..\TE X.Xll. (ialleried Dwelling, “Cor Tnlloch,' Honstry (No. 2i;2). To face p. 70. INVENTOKY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS, 71 Parish of Latheron. the E. of the galleried dwelliug (No. 257), on the low haugh by the river, are the remains of two galleried structures. That nearest to the stream has been L-shaped on plan. The longer arm lying NW. and SE. measures 32' in lengtli by 18' in width, while the other pro¬ jection measures some 20' in lengtli by 13' in width. The wall, which is built of large stones carefully laid, is 8' in thickness, and visible in places to a height of 2'. The pillars have been placed as usual about 3' from the side walls. Thei’e has been an entrance into the longer arm at its SE. end, 2' 8" in width, and also probably into the shorter chamber near its junction with the other in the re¬ entering angle, but at this point the outline of the ruin is indefinite. There is an indication of a cross wall between the two chambers. Only one covering slab remains in situ, and it appears to form part of the last-mentioned entrance. The adjacent structure is much ruined, but appears to have con¬ sisted of two circular enclosures NW. and SE. of each other, of different size, with a third abutting on the N. The circle towards the SE. has had an interior diameter of about 22'. They all contain the usual evidence of galleries. O.S.M., Caith., xx.wiii. (“ Piets’ Houses”). Visited, 27th July 1910. 259. Galleried Dioellings, Achorn, Uunheatli .—On the left bank of the Achorn burn, about I m. W. of Palcraggy Lodge, are the founda¬ tions of what appear to have been a number of connected circular galleried buildings. There seems to have been at least four large circular enclosures with diameters of from 30' to 40'. The outer walls, built of large blocks, have been about 7' in thickness. No actual pillars or covering slabs of galleries are visible, but the character of the building is similar to that of the galleried structures found in this region. In several places, protruding through the turf, are rectangular settings of fiagstones similar to those found in connec¬ tion with the brochs. O.S.M., Caith., xxxviii. (unnoted). Visited, 28th July 1910. 2G0. Galleried Dtvelling, Ballentinlc . — On a low mound about 120 yards to the W. of the foundations (No. 304), are the indefinite and scanty remains of some structure which, judging from the upright pillars remaining, has probably been a galleried dwelling. O.vS.M., Caith., xxxix. and xliii. (unnoted). Visited, 2Sth July 1910. 261. Galleried Dwelling {supposed), Ballentinlc .—About | m. NW of the Bridge of Phemullen at Ballentink, and within the cultivated land, is a grassy knoll on whose uneven surface are apparent the foundations of numerous compartments of a complex structure. The protruding stones and slabs suggest that it has been of the galleried type, but its plan is quite indefinite. On the W., at the edge of the hillock, there is exposed a small portion of wall about 4' in height which suggests a broch, but there are no other indications of such a structure, and it is possibly the outer wall of a galleried dwelling. O.S.M., Caith., xxxix. and xliii. (“Mound”). Visited, 28th July 1910. 72 HISTOKICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Takish OF Lathekon. 262. Galleried Dwelling, “ Cor TnllodiC Houstrij. —On the croft of Cars, some 300 yards S. of Mullbuie, is a remarkable construction named on the O.S. map “ Cor Tulloch ” (pi. XXII.). It has been a large galleried dwelling, but without careful excavation its exact plan is difficult to expiscate. It appears to have been a somewhat pear-shaped enclosure with its longest axis NW. and SE. Its longest diameter is 86' and the diameter across 73'. On the S, however, the outline is indefinite, and there seems to be a slight outer expansion in that direction. The whole interior is overgrown with coarse grass, and large stones confusedly tumbled about increase the difficulty of definition. The outer wall of the construction has been some 5' 6" in thickness, faced with large stones, and is still some 18" in height. Kunning along the inner periphery on the N. side are the I’emains of a galleried apartment some 42' in length and 15' in breadth. From the top of the walls forming this apartment there have been laid horizontally large pointed slabs some 6' in length, 3' in greatest breadth, and 1' in thickness, whose pointed ends rest on upright stones sunk in the ground, but now at most only some 18" above it. The passage way between the ends of the slabs roofing the galleries measures about 3' in width. Laid transversely across the space between two of the slabs on the N. side of the gallery at its SE. end, is another large slab some 5' square, and the features of the ruin suggest that the rest of the gallery was similarly roofed. At the SE. end, four of the large roofing slabs remain in position, in two pairs opposite to each other; and to the NW., although the slabs have fallen, the upright pillars for the most part remain in situ. They are not placed at regular distances from each other along the sides of the central passage, but vary from 4' 6" to 7' apart. Some 12' beyond the termination of the galleries towards the NW. this apart¬ ment ends, and beyond there appear to be the foundations of one or two small rectangular chambers against the outer wall. A similar gallery seems to have been carried around the SE. and S. sides as is evidenced by the existence of the pillar stones, though the covering slabs have all fallen. Some 12' inwards towards the centre of the construction from the SE. end of the N. gallery, and at a less distance from the remains of the gallery towards the S., are signs of an inner circular wall enclosing an area with a diameter of some 27'. Kising from this foundation at the NW. are two high pointed stones 4' to 5' in height above ground; one quadrangular in section some 14" in width, and the other a flat pointed slab; while a third similar stone rises from what may be the base of an inner wall surrounding a circular enclosure with a diameter of some 16'. The vegetation and ruins render the details of the interior structure very obscure. There is an entrance to the main enclosure at the NW. 7' wide between the termination of the wall on the N. and the wall passing round from the SW., which latter is carried beyond this entrance for a distance of some 20'. O.S.M., Caith., xxxiii. Visited, 18th July 1910. 263. Gallei'ied Dvjellinfj, Forse. —On the lower slope of the hill about I m. W. by S. of Forse House are the ruins of a very large galleried INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 73 Parish of Latheroh. construction. In the present state of dilapidation into which it has fallen the plan is difficult to determine, but it appears to have consisted of four oblong enclosures in two pairs, conjoined at one end and slightly divergent, with another chamber thrust in between them. (The whole galleries measure across from E. to W. about 120'.) 'The southmost pair are built with their longest axes NW. and SE. entering from the latter direction, and the northmost pair, slightly divergent, have their longest axes WSW. and ENE. entering from the latter direction. The chamber occupying the angle between the two pairs is too ruined to define, but in form it seems to have been circular. The southmost pair each measure interiorly 48' in length and 15' in width near the centre, slightly expanding towards the inner end. The ends are, as usual, rounded. At 28' from the SE. extremities they are connected by a passage through the dividing wall 3' 7" wide and 7' in length. The northmost pair of enclosures are 54' or 55' in length respectively, interior measurement, the southmost of the two expanding from 11' to 13' 6" in width, and the northmost being 18' wide at the back. 'I'lie walls are well built of large stones and are from 7' to 8' in thickness, and in places 2' to 3' in height. In the southmost of the four enclosures one pillar with its supported slab still remains in situ and numerous other pillars remain erect. They are from 2' 4" to 2' 9" distant from the face of the wall, and the highest pillar is 3' 8" above present ground level. The entrance into the second enclosure from the S. is well defined and is 3' 3" in width. The confusion caused by the large displaced slabs and blocks of stones in the interior of the enclosures is very great. A segmental wall passes from the NW. end of the southmost enclosure round by N. towards the entrance of the innermost of the most northerly pair of enclosures, while a similar wall runs from that entrance on the oi^posite side to junction with the outer wall of the most southerly enclosure at its SE. end. O.S.M., Caith., xxxiii. (“ Mound”). Visited, 29th July 1910. Sepulchral Constructions. 204. Chamheml Cairn {remains of), Knockinnon .—Near the edge of the high bank which slopes sharply towards the cliff, some 200 yards SE. of Knockinnon Castle, are the scanty remains of what has probably been a chambered cairn. At the back stands erect a large flat-sided stone, 4' 8" in height, 2' 6" in breadth, and 1' 3" in thickness, and some 3' in rear of it the head of another similar slab protrudes about 1' 2" above ground. Only a partial outline of the construction remains. 265. Chambered Cairn, Houstry .—On the right bank of the burn of Houstry, about ] m. WNW. of Cuag and about 150 yards back from the burn, are the remains of a chambered cairn. Its diameter is some 50'. At 17' in from the S. side, the top of two large erect slabs 2' 8" apart are visible above the ruins, and some 4' 6" beyond these the head of another protrudes. Though the cairn is con¬ siderably dilapidated there is no evidence that the chamber has been cleared out. T4 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. ParisH of Latheron. 266. Chambered Caira {remains of), Achnagoul .—At the lower end of an enclosed park adjacent to a croft between the road and the Houstry burn at Achnagoul, are six large upright slabs which have formed parts of the chamber of a cairn. The chamber has been entered from the S. and appears to have been bipartite. Two large slabs 2' apart mark the entrance to the outer compartment, while some 5' in rear of them another pair have formed the portal stones at the entrance to the inner compartment. A single slab at the back indicates the length of the latter as some 7', and one slab on the W. side signifies that the width was about 8'. The cairn, except for these slabs, has been entirely removed, and much of it lies heaped up outside the field. O.S.M., Caith., xxxix. and xliii. (unnoted). _Visited, ISth July 1910. 267. Chambered Cairn, Langwell .—On the top of the S. bank of the Langwell Water, and by the edge of a burn which flows into that river near the road bridge IJ m. above Langwell House, are the remains of a chambered cairn. Much of the stone which formed the cairn has been removed and the chambers for the most part demolished. The outline is not very definite, but it appears to have measured in diameter some 78' from E. to W. by 63' from H. to S. In line of the main axis there appears to have been two separate chambers. Some 18' in from the E. edge are two upright stones 2' 8" apart, that on the N. broken off at the ground level, while that alongside stands to a height of 2' 8". At 4' 8" in rear of them are another similar pair 2' 4" apart, apparently marking the entrance to an inner chamber, the sides and back of which have been removed. At 10' inwards from what appears to have been the outer edge of the cairn on the W. stands a large slab some 3' 2" in breadth and 2' in height, set at right angles to the direc¬ tion of the passage. To the E. or rear of it, distant 11' 6", a pair of slabs protrude from the ruins 2' 8" apart, and directly in rear of them a large slab 5' in breadth is visible for a height of some 14", marking the back of this chamber. The side walls are not now visible. O.S.M., Caith., xlii. (“ Piets’ Houses ”). Visited, 21st July 1910. 268. Cairn, Larngioell .—Situated about m. SW. of Langwell House, in the wood and some 40 yards S. of the avenue, is a large cairn. It measures some 60' in diameter and 5' in elevation. A number of small trees are growing over it, and there is no sign of its having been excavated. O.S.M., Caith., xlii. (unnoted). Visited, 21st July 1910. 269. Cairn {supi^osed), Berriedale .—On the moorland high above the right bank of the Berriedale Water, and about ^ m. H. of the junction of the Allt an Duin with that stream, is a stony mound from which large stones protrude, and which is possibly a cairn. It has a diameter of some 40' and an elevation of 5' to 6'. O.S.M., Caith., xlii. (“ Piet’s House ”). Visited, 21st July 1910. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 75 Parish of Latheron. 270. Cairn, Allt Ard aclmidh, Berricdale. —Perched on the top of the S. bank of the Allt Ard achaidh, near its junction with the Berriedale Water, is a cairn measuring 38' in diameter and 5' in elevation. O.S.M., Caith., xlii. (“ Piets’ Houses ”). Visited, 21st July 1910. 271. Chambered Cairn {remains of), Allt na Buidhe. —On the right bank of the Allt na Buidhe, about ^ m. above the road bridge at Borgue, are the scanty remains of a chambered cairn. The stones have been almost entirely removed. 'J’hree large upright slabs remain, marking the position of the chamber, but its plan is unascer- tainable. The entrance appears to have been from the SSE. O.S.M., Caith., xlii. (“ Piet’s House”). Visited, 23rd July 1910. 272. Cairn, Bwnbeath. —Some 200 yards E. of the gamekeeper’s house at Balautrath, on tlie road from Hunbeath to Leodebest, is a small cairn overgrown with heather. It measures about 33' in diameter and 2' in elevation. 'To the SE. of it lie one or two small stony mounds. O.S.M., Caith., xxxviii. (unnoted). Visited, 28th July 1910. 273. Chambered Cairn {horned, long), Cam Liathf Leodebest. ■—Situated on the moor some 300 yards E. by S. of the shepherd’s house at Leodebest, are the remains of a horned long cairn known as “ Cam Liath.” The cairn is much dilapidated and the chamber ruined, but there is no evidence of its having been excavated. It lies with its major axis WSW. and ENE., rising in elevation and ex])anding in width towards tlie latter direction. At the WSW. extremity it is 28' in breadth and now of trifling elevation, wliile at tlie opposite end it measures about 40' in breadth and 5' in elevation. 'The extreme length, including the horns, is 165'. The apparent width between the ends ol the horns at the WSW. is 40' and at the ENE 60'. I’he ruined state of the cairn, however, renders these measurements only approximate. In the centre of the concavity at the ENE. end stand two slabs about 3' 10" in height above the ruin, 2' 6" to 3' in width, and 1' 4" apart, which probably mark the outer end of the entrance passage. 'The exact projection of the horns is not in the existing state of the ruin observable, but the length from these portal stones to the outer extremity on the N. is 35', and at the opposite end the distance from the centre point of the end of the cairn to the approximate end of the horns is 23'. No part of the chamber is at present recognisable. O.S.M., Caith., xxxviii. (“ Piet’s House”). Visited, 28th July 1910. 274. Chambered Cairn, Leodebest. — Some 30 yards to the NW. of the horned long cairn (No. 273) are the dilapidated remains of a circular cairn from which many cart-loads of stone have been removed. Cne or two large upright stones, evidently in situ, pro¬ claim its chambered character, but the plan of the chamber is not apparent. 'The diameter is 44' and the elevation now trifling. 76 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Tarish of Latheron. 275. Cairn {remains of), Leodebest. —About ^ m. W. of Leodebest, on the N. side of the road and some 20' back from it, are three upright stones about 2' above ground set parallel, face to face, 2' 2" and 2' 8" apart respectively. In rear of the most north easterly is visible another large stone set at right angles and measuring some 3' in breadth. A slight elevation of the ground may indicate the site of a cairn near the centre of which these stones are set. O.S.M., Caith. , xxxviii. (unnoted). Visited, 28th July 1910. 276. Chambered Cairn and Standing-Stone, Cnoc na Maranaich .— On the summit of Cnoc na Maranaich, the most conspicuous hill at the lower end of the Dunbeath Strath, are the remains of a large cairn with a standing-stone adjacent (pi. XXIII.). The centre of the cairn has been broken into, and two or three large slabs lying displaced suggest a chambered character. The diameter over all is about 60', and the greatest elevation about 7'. Some 20' to the E., facing due X. and S., is a standing-stone. It is a slab of whinstone, pointed to the upper end, 8' 4" high, 3' 4" wide at base, and 11" thick. O.S.M., Caith., xxxviii. (“ Piet’s House.” “Standing-Stone”). Visited, 28th July 1910. 277. Chambered Cairn {remains of), Latheronwheel. —About m. SE. of Latheronwheel House, and situated by the side of an old feal dyke some 100 yards to the E. of the road between Dunbeath and Lybster, are the remains of a chambered cairn. The chamber has been entered from the NE., and the remains of two compartments are recognisable by the division stones. The first pair are 2' 6" apart, and are from 2' 6" to 3' in breadth; the second pair, set parallel to and 4' in rear of the former, are 2' apart. At 5' in rear of the latter pair a slab 4' 6" in breadth appears to mark the back of the chamber. Xone of these slabs protrude for more than 18" above the debris. Close in front of the back slab a large stone 3' 9" in height, 2' 6" in width, stands upright, but does not seem to be a part of the original structure. The sides of the chamber are not recognisable. The cairn appears to have been round, but its diameter is not now ascertainable without excavation. O.S.M., Caith., xxxix. and xliii. Visited, 28th July 1910. 278. Chambered Cairn, Achkinloch. —Some 40 to 50 yards SSE. of the SE. end of the setting of standing-stones at Achkinloch, Loch Stemster (No. 293), are the ruins of a chambered cairn. The cairn is greatly dilapidated and much stone has been removed from it. Near the centre two large slabs stand upright, facing E. and W., 7' to 8' apart, indicating the position of the chamber, the plan of which is not, however, evident. The diameter has been about 75'. O.S.M,, Caith., xxviii. (“ Brough ”). Visited, 30th July 1910. 279. Stone Circle, Guidebest. —At Guidebest, close by the left bank of the Burn of Latheronwheel, and about 1-^- m. above the road bridge at Latheronwheel, are the remains of a large stone circle (fig. 14) of which seven stones now remain upright and one fallen, though one of the former is broken over at 1' 6" above ground, and another is a mere stump, while five stones are probably awanting. The site of the Plate XXIII.—Caiiii and Standing-Stone, Cnoc na Maianaich (No. Plate XXIV.—Dove-cot, Foise Honse (No. 281). To face p. 76, INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 77 Parish of Latheron. circle is on a flat area some 15' above the burn, which has eaten away the bank till it is very close to the SW. stone. The stones have been set with their faces in the line of the circumference, and vary from 2' 9" to 4' 9" in height, from 1' 11" to 3' in breadth, and from 1' 2" to 2' in thickness. The circle has had a diameter of about 190'. O.S.M., Caith., xxxiii. Visited, 26th July 1910. Miscellaneous. 280. Construction (remains), Moss of Whilk .—Situated at the NW. end of the Moss of Whilk, about 1-|- m. W. by S. of Warehouse, and just where the hills begin to rise northwards of the Moss, is a grassy hillock. In elevation it is low, and scattered over its surface or pro¬ truding from it, showing no trace of arrangement, are numerous large quarried stones. 'The mound does not seem high enough to cover the ruins of a broch, and the removal of the stones from such an inaccessible spot is not likely to have occurred. If a broch has ever stood here it seems to have been entirely cast down. The 7(S HISTORICAL ISIONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Latheron. surface is very uneven and does not suggest a cairn. The diameter is 63'. O.S.M., Caith., xxix. (“ Brough”). Visited, 13th July 1910. 281. Dove-cot, Forse House. —Standing in the park to the W. of Forse House is an old dove-cot (pi. XXIV.) with a lean-to roof and crow-stepped gables. It has two divisions with separate doors, and openings in the roof for the pigeons. Tlie back wall is some 24' to 26' in height. There are three narrow ledges for the birds to rest on passing along the back wall, two on the sides, where they are stepped, and one on the front. The gables are surmounted with spherical finials, and from the centre of the top of the back wall rises a thistle supporting a weather vane. The length of the building is 28' 8" and its breadth 16'. O.S.M., Caith., xxxiii. Visited, 29th July 1910. 282. Mounds, Forse. —To the S. and SE. of the galleried structure (No. 263) are several mounds and constructions noted on the O.S. map. Two of these in the vicinity of the burn are conical mounds, composed of small angular fragments of stone about the size of road metal. Dr Joseph Anderson has described certain small cairns presenting a similar appearance. They measured from 20' to 30' in diameter and 2' to 4' in height, and were composed of stones thoroughly burned, the interstices between them being filled with a black unctuous mould. 'Two of these opened near the brochs of Brounaban and Yarhouse (Yarrows) respectively yielded no clue to their purpose. Similar cairns are known in Ireland, where they are called in Cork “ Folach Fia,” in 'lipperary “ Deer Koasts,” and in Ulster “ Giant’s Cinders.” Before, however, the artificial origin of these particular mounds can be ascertained they would require to be excavated. See Antiquaries, ix. p. 295. O.S.M., Caith., xxxiii. Visited, 29th July 1910. 283. Bell-'rower, Latheron. — Conspicuously situated on the shoulder of the hill, about m. N. of Latheron parish church, is a detached belfry (pi. XXV.). It is a rectangular tower 7' square rising to a height of 22' to 24' and finished with a pyramidal stone roof. There are oblong openings, measuring some 4' x 2', below the roof for the emission of the sound. The bell was removed from the belfry about 1825. The building, which probably dates from the end of the 17th century, is in need of repair. O.S.M., Caith., xxxix. and xliii. Visited, 26th July 1910. Standing-Stones, Hill of Rangag. 284. At the N. end of the Hill of Eangag, some 30 yards E. of the road, and about 1-^ m. N. of Achavannich, is a standing-stone (pi. XXVI.). It is quadrangular in section, stands to a height of 9' 5" above ground, and measures some 2' 9" in thickness. It seems to face E. and is slightly tilted towards the W. On its S. face near the W. edge, and about 3' above ground, are some raised markings which have the appearance of sculpture, but are probably due to natural causes. 285. Some 160' W. by S. of it by the roadside, there lies across the ditch on the opposite side of the road another large stone which fell Ancieid and Historical Moincnients — Caithness. Plate XXV.—Bell-Tower, Latlieroii (No. 283). To face p. 78 . A»cietit (triil IJidoricdl Moinimenfs — CiiithveKn. To face p. 7 8. Plate XXVI.-StaiHling-Stoue, Hill of Plate XXVIL —Staudiiig-Stoiie, Hill of Uaiig-ig(Xo. i!84). Haiigjig (No, 286). k i '■■iK Ancient and Histm-iad Mnnnmcnte — Caith/a'Hs. To face p. 78 . 1’late XW'llI.—Staucling-Stcdie, Latheroii (No. 288). 1’l.\te XXIX.—Slauding-Stone, l-Sorgui' (X’o. 290). INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 79 Parish of Latheron. some fifty years ago. It is also quadrangular, and measures 21/ in breadth, V 5" in thickness, and 9' in length. O.S.M., Caith., xxviii. Visited, 15th July 1910. 286. Situated at the N. end of the Hill of Kangag, and about m. ENE. of the standing-stone (No. 284), is another (pi. XXVII.). It stands 5' 6" in height above ground, is roughly quadrangular in section, measuring 2' 6"xl' 8", and is pointed upwards. It faces WNW. and ESE. On the SE. angle, some 17" from the top, a rounded disc-like protuberance some 4" in diameter has been formed by the hollowing of the surface above and on one side, and by a shallow groove across the edge beneath it. O.S.M., Caith., xxviii. Visited, 15th July 1910. 287. Standing-Stone, Forse. —In the corner of an enclosed wood, some 200 yards ENE. of the gamekeeper’s house at Forse, is a stand¬ ing-stone. It is rectangular in section, measuring 2' x 1' 2" and 5' 8" in height above ground. In direction it faces NNW. and SSE. O.S.M., Caith., xxxiii. Visited 20th September 1910. 288. Standing-Stone, Latheron. ---About 100 yanls to the N. of the Post Office at Latheron, on the croft of Buldoo, is a massive standing-stone (pi. XXV'^lll.) rising 12' 8" above ground, quadrangular in section, and measuring at base 12' 2" in circumference and at 7' up 14' 2". It is pointed towards the upper end and appears to be bedded in the rock which is visible on the surface quite near. 289. Stand mg-Stone, do. —About 100 yards to the NW. of the last another large upright block stands to a height of 7' above ground. It faces NNW. and SSE. and measures across its respective faces 4' 3" and 4' 10" and is some 2' 10" in thickness. It is not pointed. From top to bottom it has been badly split. O.S.M., Caith., xxxix. and xliii. Visited, 26th July 1910. 290. Stamling-Stone, Borgne. —Out on the moor at P)orgue at its northerly end, and about J- m. to the W. of the main road to Wick, is a higli standing-stone (pi. XXIX.). It is a slab rising 12' 8" above ground, pointed to its upper extremity, 5' 6" broad at greatest breadth, 3' 5" broad at base, and 1' 8" in thickness. It faces W. by N. and E. by S. O.S.M., Caitil, xlii. Visited, 23rd July 1910. 291. Standing-Stone, Hountrg School. —Situated on the moor some 50 yards SE. of Houstry School is a tall standing-stone. It is a slab 8' in height, 2' 5" in breadth, and 1' 5" in thickness. It is pointed to the upper extremity and faces E. and W. O.S.M., Caith., xxxiii. Visited, 18th July 1910. 292. Stone Rows, Hill o' Many Stanes, Mid Clyth. —To the NW. of Mid Clyth railway station, on a low hill, stands one of the most remarkable monuments in Caithness. Along the southern slope of the hill are ranged twenty-two rows of stones running approximately parallel from N. to S. but slightly diverging towards their southern extremities. At the N. end the monument measures 118' across and at the S. end 188'. The longest row is about 153' in length and appears to have been formed of twenty-two stones placed from 5' 6" to 7" 6" apart. The stones are, as a rule, thin slabs set with their faces looking 80 HISTORICAL JIONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Latheron. across the rows. The largest stones are about 3' high, 3' wide, and 15" to 18" thick. There are now standing about 192 stones, while a number lie pulled out and others are broken over. They have all been tirmly wedged in at the base with smaller stones. Counting from the E. the rows now contain the following number of erect stones:— 1st row. 7 stones. 12th row, 11 stones. 2nd „ 6 „ 13 th „ 12 ,., 3rd „ 12 „ 14th „ 10 „ 4th „ 8 „ 15th „ 15 „ 5th „ 6 „ 16th „ 10 „ 6 th „ 4 „ 17th „ 10 „ 7th „ 6 18 th ,, 7 „ 8th „ 7 „ 19th „ 8 „ 9 th „ 7 „ 20 th „ 14 „ 10 th „ 9 „ 21st „ 5 „ 11th „ 9 „ 22nd „ 9 „ To the E. of the eastmost row one or two stones protruding suggest that the monument may originally have extended further in that direction. A plan of this monument made by Sir Henry Dryden in 1871 is preserved in the library of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. On it the number of stones indicated, erect and fallen, is about 250. See Cordiner’s Antiquities, p. 84; Anderson, The Bronze and Stone Ages, p. 131 (plan). O.S.M., Caith., xxxiv. Visited, 16th July 1910. 293. Standing-Stones {setting of),Aclikinlocli .—At the SW. corner of Loch Stemster, about ^ m. SW. of Achkinloch, is a remarkable setting of standing-stones (pi. XXX.). In form the monument is an irregular oval, broader at one end than the other, and like a horseshoe, having the setting discontinued across one end and that the narrow one. The main axis is N. and S. with the open end towards the latter direction. The total length is 226', the width in the middle from side to side, interior measurement, 110', and at the open extremity 85'. The stones are placed with their broad faces at right angles to the direction of the setting, and are on an average from 4' to 5' in height, the highest stone—that at the SW. termination—measuring 6' 4" in height. In breadth they vary from 3' to 5', and in thickness from 8" to 20". They have been placed at distances of 8' or 9' from each other. There are a number of gaps, and presuming that the intervals were regular and that the stones from these gaps have been removed, the number of stones originally forming the monument would be fifty-four. There now remain insitn thirty-four, of which two are mere stumps, and there lie prostrate other three. Abutting against a high stone at the XE. of the monument, and on the outside, is a cist-like construction formed of four slabs set in the ground and measuring 5' x 3' 9" interiorly. There is no evidence of an interment having been found in it. This monument was surveyed by Sir Henry Dryden in 1871, and his plan was reproduced by Dr Joseph Anderson in his work referred to below. See Anderson, The Bronze and Stone Ages, p. 132 (plan). O.S.M., Caith., xxviii. Visited, 30th July 1910. Ancient and Historical Monuments — Caithness. To face p. 80. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 81 Parish of TjAtheron. 294. Standimj-Sioms, Forse .—Between a rocky scarp and swampy ground at the upper or N. end of the Mill Dam, to the NW. of Forse House, are three standing-stones and the base of a fourth. They are rectangular slabs placed at irregular intervals of 18' 9", 25', and 53' from each other, and seemingly disturbed from their original positions. It is doubtful if they have formed part of a stone circle. The unbroken stones measure from 3' 6" to 4' 9" in height, from 2' 7" to 3' in width, and they have an average thick¬ ness of 13". O.S.M., Caith., xxxiii. (“Stone Circle”). Visited, 29th July 1910. 295. Cross Slab, Mid Clyth .— Near the centre of Mid Clyth graveyard stands a tall grey slab (tig. 15) measuring 6' 6" in height, 1' 9" in breadth, and 6" in thick¬ ness. It faces SW. and NE. On the SAV. face near the centre is incised a Celtic cross 1' 3" in length and 1' 4" in breadth along the arms. The upper arm Fio. 15. -Cros.s Slab, Mid Clyth Grave¬ yard (No. 295). terminates in two diverging spirals and the lateral arms in circular discs 3" in diameter. The stem of the cross is about f" broad. See Antiqiiaries, x. p. 630 (illus.); Early Christ. Mon., pt. iii. p. 36. 296. Cross Slab, Roadside Farm, Mid Clyth. — At the farm of lloadside. Mid Clyth, occupied by Mr George Sinclair, is across-bearing slab (fig 16). It was found many years ago built into a stone dyke, and has been used as a cover on the top of the wall around the well containing ' the machinery of the horse mill at the back of the house. On its upper face is rudely carved, or picked out, a small cross. The slab measures 3' 5" in length by I' 11" in breadth, and 5" in thick- Fig. 16.—Cross Slab, Roadside ness. The cross is 1' 5" iu extreme length Faun, Mid Clyth (No. 296). y 2" in breadth across the centre. The arms are 6" long and terminate in round discs 2.V' in 6 82 HISTORICAL MONUIMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. I’ARISH OF LaTHERON. diameter ; and the lateral arms are slightly inclined upwards. The stem is 9" long. O.S.M., Oaith., xx.xiv. Visited, 16th July 1910. 297. Sculptured Stone, Lyhster .—Lying on the grassy slope between the two ranges of cottages that run N. and S. to the NE. of the harbour of Lybster, and some 40 yards S. of the northmost cottages, is a block of yellow sandstone (fig. 17). In form it is roughly triangular. Fig. 17.—Sculptured Stone, Lybster (No. 297). measuring some 2' 2" x 3'. A large basin-shaped depression, which appears to be natural, runs in from the left edge, and another large hole has been worn by weather near the lower end of the stone. Cut across the right-hand corner is an equal-limbed Celtic cross measuring 1' 8" in width. The arms expand outwards from 5h" to 7" and their extreme length is 8f". Set within this cross is another with arms 6|" in length and If" in width. ' This stone is referred to in the description of the parish of Latheron (circa 1726), published in Macfarlane’s Geographical Col¬ lections, as follows; “ On the face of a brae above the inlett of this burn (Risgil) there is a stone to which, as the natives tell, many frequented in the time of superstition. It’s hollow where they sate and on the back there is the figure of a cross tripled cutt out. ther are some hollow places on both sides as if designed for both the elbows.” See Macfarlane’s Oeog. Coll., i. p. 166. O.S.M., Caith., xxxiv. (unnoted). Visited, 19th July 1910. 298. Gross Slab {portion of), Latheron .—Built into the W. wall of the old barn by the roadside, about \ m. S. of Latheron Post Office, is a stone incised with a portion of a Celtic cross. Its position is 13' from the N. end of the wall and 3' 9" above the ground. The stone is 2' 3” in length by V 1" in breadth. The upper arm of the cross and the greater parts of the side arms are gone. The stem remains for a length of 1' 7", and increases in width from 6" at the intersection to 8|-" at its present termination. The angles at the points of inter¬ section are filled with circular discs 2" in diameter. O.S.M., Caith., xxxix. and xliii. (unnoted). Visited, 26th July 1910. 299. Scidpturecl Stone with Ogham inscription .—Built into the wall, in the interior of the old barn mentioned in the previous paragraph, was found a few years ago a sculptured stone bearing INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 83 Parish of Latheron. an Ogham inscription. It is a rectangular slab of Caithness sand¬ stone, and measures 3' in extreme height, 1' 5" in breadth, and about 4" in thickness. The top and bottom are broken away, the fracture at the top passing obliquely across the stone. The in¬ scription runs the whole length of the stone on the left-hand side, but is probably incomplete owing to the fracture. What remains shows eighteen complete characters and possibly part of a nineteenth. The sculpturing, which is partly in relief and partly incised, and occupies the whole face of the stone, consists of the double rectangular figure in relief, the upper and wider rectangle filled with double spiral ornament arranged in C-shaped scrolls placed back to back, the lower and narrower filled with an interlaced pattern; and below, incised (1) a bird, (2) a fish, and (3) two housemen (partly broken away). The stone was discovered in 1903 by Mr. John Xicolson, Nybster, who brought it to Sir Francis Tress Barry, and the latter presented it to the National Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh, where it now is. It is fully described and illustrated in an article by Dr Joseph Anderson in the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries quoted below. See Antiquaries, xxxviii. p. 534 (illus.). 300. Constructions (remains). Burn of Houstry .—About 1| ra. to the NW. of Mullbuie, near the side of a burn, are the ruins of shieling bothies on the top of round green hillocks. The largest of these hillocks, measuring some 50'x 62'in diameter, lying with its longest axis E. and W., appears to have been the site of some earlier construction. It has an elevation of some 5'. All over the surface protrude large stones, many of them set upon end. The remains are quite indefinite, but resemble the ruin's (No. 280) covering the hillock in the Moss of Whilk. A short distance to the E. is an area measuring about 140'x 100', surrounded by a single line of large blocks of stone not forming a wall nor in their present position acting as a fence to keep animals outside or inside the enclosure. Further N. and some 21 m. NNW. of Mullbuie, at the S. end of Loch a Cheracher flow, and to the E. of the source of the Allt Badain Ghuirm, is visible the base of a turf bank along the edge of the flow, forming a segment of a circle, with a chord of some 200 yards. The surface on both sides, but especially on the concave face, is boggy. The base of the bank is now some 12' wide and its elevation trilling. Its purpose bas probably been to prevent cattle wandering into the flow. O.S.M., Caitii., xxxii. (unnoted). Visited, 18th July 1910. 301. Construction {remains of), Lanywell. — On the S. side of the road up the Langwell Water from Langwell to Wag, and some 200 yards W. of the wall which divides the woodlands from the moor beyond the garden, are the very confused remains of a construction. Much stone has been removed from it, and its original character is not apparent. It is known as “ Langwell Tulloch.” O.S.M., Caith., xlii. (“ Piet’s House”). Visited, 21st July 1910. 302. Shielings (ruins of), Easan Burn .—On the top of the S. bank of the Easan Burn, above the road bridge, and about 1 m. N. of Canister 84 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLANH) COMMISSION. Parish of Lathekon. Lodge, are the very indefinite remains of a number of constructions situated on a green knoll. They appear to have been small oblong buildings with two or three chambers. One more definite than the rest measures interiorly some 16'x 7'. On a green liillock on the right bank of the same burn, about ] m. SSE. of the road bridge, are the ruins of a similar structure. The corners have been rounded; the walls are about 2' thick and now low, and there have been two apartments. These appear to be the ruins of shielings. O.S.M., Caith., xxix. (“Tumulus”). Visited, 14th July 1910. 303. Do. (do.), Dunbeath Strath. —About m. N. by E. of Aclinaclyth towards Cnocan Con na Craige is a spot marked “ Piets’ Houses ” on the O S. map. Here, near the source of a small burn, are some half-dozen green mounds, on the top of which the founda¬ tions of small oblong houses, evidently shelling bothies, are visible; while westwards a mile or so by the banks of the Kaffin Burn are the remains of another similar settlement. O.S.M., Caith., xxxii. Visited, 29th July 1910. 304. Constructions, Balhntink. —At Ballentink, about 200 yards SSW. of the road bridge of Khemullen across the Burn of Houstry, on a grassy hillock, the foundations are visible, beneath the turf, of several circular enclosures built with large stones. Towards the SE. an entrance passage has been partially exposed, with a width of 2' 7", passing beneath a large lintel and suggesting the entrance to a broch. The dimensions and outline, however, of such a structure are not evident. It is possible that the circular enclosures are secondary constructions superimposed on the ruin. O.S.M., Caith., xxxix. and xliii. (“ Mound ”). Visited, 28th July 1910. Sites. 305. Glyth Castle (Ounins Castle), BuaiV na Greige. —On the summit of a peninsular rock running parallel to the cliff face on the mainland, and only approachable from the shore at the W. end, up a steep glacis of rock, are the foundations of a small rectangular keep. Formidable as the position has been rendered by nature, it has been further strengthened by the building of a wall across the upper side of a shelf of rock by which access might have been gained to the summit from the SW. The keep has measured over all some 37' X 23', and has had walls some 3' in thickness. Immediately outside the build¬ ing, at the NE. angle, is a circular depression some 9' in diameter and 2' to 3' in depth, which probably indicates the position of the well. This keep was one of the strongholds of the Clan Gunn. See The Gunns, p. 190. O.S.M., Caith., xxxiv. Visited, 16th July 1910. 306. Halherry Castle. —On the top of Halberry Head, at Mid Clyth, are the foundations of Halberry Castle. The promontory is formed by a deep inlet or geo separating it from the land on the westward side, while the open sea dashes against the base of the cliffs INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 85 Parish of Latheron. on the E. The neck which links the promontory to the land is traversed by a trench cut through the rock some 25' in width. In rear of this has stood the keep, the foundations of which alone are visible. It has been a rectangular structure, measuring over all some 44' X 28'. The castle is said to have belonged to the Crowner Gunn in the 15th century. See The Gunns, p. 190. O.S.M. Caith., xxxiv. Visited, 16th July 1910. 307. Knockinnmi Castle. —On the top of a prominent rock (Cnoc Heara), which rises on the W. side of the high road about 1| m. N. of Dunbeath, are the mere foundations of this castle. In plan it con¬ sisted of a small rectangular keep in the centre, with numerous out¬ buildings. There appears to be no historical reference to it, and it is doubted if the castle was ever completed. In the “ Geographical Description of the Parish of Lathron ” {circa, 1726), given in IMacfarlane’s Geographical Collections, there is a statement in the following terms which evidently refers to it: “About 3 furlongs to the S. of the house of Lathronwheel, upon a rising ground, there stands the beginning of a great fabrick; it is certain that it came never a much greater length than what is now seen of it. I could get no certain account who he was that began this great design.” See Cast, and Dom. Arch., iv. p. 298 (plan) ; Macfarlane’s Geoq. Coll, i. p. 163. O.S.M., Caith., xxxix. and xliii. Visited, 28th July 1910. 308. Berriedale Castle. —On a tongue of rock projecting across the mouth of the Berriedale River are the remains of Berriedale Castle. The promontory on which the castle stood has been cut off from the high ground in rear of it by a deep ditch across the neck. There has been a double row of buildings along the promontory separated by a narrow courtyard, the whole enclosed within a wall of enceinte still partly traceable. The remains are very scanty. Berriedale belonged in the 14th century to Rannald or Reginald Cheyne, thereafter passing, through marriage, to the Sutherlands, and subsequently to the Oliphants by the marriage of William Oliphant with Christina Sutherland. In 1526 Andrew Oliphant sold the property, along with his other possessions in Caithness, as he was unable to enjoy them in peace, to his uncle Laurence, Lord Oliphant, and in 1606 his successor sold Berriedale, etc., to the Earl of Caithness. See Cast, and Dom. Arch., iv. p. 297 (plan); jMacfarlane’s Geog. Coll.,\. p. 165; Origines, ii. pt. ii. p. 764; Reg. Mag. Slg. 18th June 1606. O.S.M., Caith., xlii. Visited, 23rd July 1910. 309. Chapel and Graveyard, Ballachly, Stemster. —Situated in the midst of cultivated fields, some 300 yards WNW. of Ballachly, is a graveyard enclosed and ap})arently still used. The rank growth of grass and weeds quite obscures any old tombstones tliere may be. This is said to be the site of a chapel. O.S.M., Caith., xxviii. Visited, 15th July 1910. 310. Chapel and Graveyard, Brae na h-Eaglais, Langwell Water .— At the junction of the Long Burn with the Langwell Water, on the top 86 HISTORICAL jMONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Latheron. of the bank above the road to the W. of the former stream, is the site of a chapel and graveyard. Slight surface indications alone remain. O.S.kL, Caith., xlii. Visited, 20th July 1910. 311. Chapel, iVaemore. — Immediately to the W. of Braemore Podge is an old graveyard still in use, and within it is the site of a chapel. The ruins are saiil to have been pulled down about the middle of last century. Wells are indicated on the O.S. map to the N. and S. of the site. See Macfarlane’s Gcog. Coll., i. p. 166; Eccles. Hist. Caith., p. 65. O.S.M., Caith., xxxviii. Visited, 22nd July 1910. 312. Chapel, Ballachly, Danbeath. —At Ballachly, about I m. to the N.W. of Dunbeath, is the site of a chapel. From the haugh land near the river there rises a ridge some 80 to 100 yards in length, and at right angles to it there runs towards the river a wall 5' thick and still some 8' to 10' high. Along the level to the base of the ridge at the W. are the ruins of a similar massive wall. Bishop Forbes records that he was told on his visit to Caithness in 1762 that here “had been a small monastery called of old the Chapel or Church of Peace.” See Forbes’ Journals,]). 191; Macfarlane’s Geog. Coll.,\. p. 164. O.S.M., Caith , xxxix. and xliii. Visited, 28th July 1910. 313. “ Cam Fhionn,” Braemore. —This structure, which is said to have been a broch, has been completely removed. O.S.M., Caith., xxxviii. (“ Piet’s House ”). Visited, 22nd July 1910. The O.S. maps indicate sites as under:— 314. Piet's House, Cam Liath, about | m. E. of Gorriechoieh O.S.M., Caith., xxxvii. 315. Do. — I m. NW. of Langwell House. „ „ xlii. 316. Cairn, Ramscraigs. „ „ „ PARISH OF OLEIG. Ecclesiastical Structures. 317. Churcli of St Trothans. —About m. N. of Olrig House are the ruins of the parish church of Olrig known as St Trothan’s. The structure is roofless and the gables and walls, entirely overgrown with ivy, are levelled to a height of about 10' all round. The church has measured 49'x26' over all. It presents no features of interest, and is said to have been erected in 1633. Font .—Standing on the left side of the gate giving access to the churchyard is an old font. It is a cylindrical block of sandstone, 1' 8" in height and 1' 5^" in diameter, hollowed out at both ends. The basin is in shape an inverted cone 10" in depth and 5" in diameter at the top. A plain roll-moulding encircles the block at the base, and rising from this to within 6" of the top of the font are five equi¬ distant vertical roll-mouldings. See Origines, ii., pt. ii. p. 787; Muir’s Eecles. Notes, p. 109. O.S.M., Caith. vi. Visited, 31st August 1910. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 87 Parish of Olrig, Defensive Constructions. 318. Brock, Thurdistoft. —In the middle of a cultivated field about ^ m. S. by W. of the farm of Thurdistoft, to the E. of Castletown, are the remains of a broch. The outer face of the wall is exposed almost all round to a height of from 2' to 3', but the exact position of the entrance is obscured by vegetation. The diameter over all is 66' and the greatest elevation about 6'. There is no indication that the interior has been excavated. O.S.M., Caith., vi. (“Mound”). Visited, 18th August 1910. 319. Brock, Murkle. —About m. SSE. of West Murkle farm buildings is a grassy hillock on the top of which are the remains of a broch. The lower slope, which is steeply scarped, has an elevation of about 8', and between its upper edge and the higher portion of the hillock containing the broch is a level area measuring some 28' to 30' in width. The upper mound has a diameter of about 60' and an eleva¬ tion of about 8'. No part of the structure is visible. The hillock has to some extent been ploughed down and broken into on the E. side. The O.S. map indicates that human remains and querns were found here. O.S.M., Caith., vi. (“ Cairn ”). Visited, 23rd August 1910. 320. Brock, Gastlekill, Castletovm. —At the edge of a field just above the shore road, a short distance to the W. of Castlehill quarries, Castletown, is a grassy mound which contains the ruins of a broch. It has been pillaged to some extent from the S. side. The remaining portion has a diameter of about 54' and an elevation of 7'. On the top of this mound there was discovered in 1786 an un¬ burnt burial beneath a fiat stone and quite near the surface. With the skeleton were two oval bowl-shaped brooches of brass, gilded and surrounded by thin plaited silver cord. The convex surface is ornamented with four figures with horses’ heads in high relief and with chased work characteristic of the Norse Viking period. With the brooches were also a bracelet of coarse jet, and a bone pin 4" in length. With the exception of one of the brooches, vvhich is in the Museum of Old Northern Antiquities at Copenhagen, the relics are preserved in the National Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh. See Anderson, Tkc Iron Aijc, p. 43. O.S.M., Caith., vi. Visited, 23rd August 1910. 321. Brock, Sihmister. — Immediately to the N. of Sibmister farm is a high grassy hillock on the top of which there are evidently the remains of a broch. The scarp of the hillock, which is steep, rises to a height of about 18' on the W. and somewhat less on the other side, and towards the top of it the face of a revetment is exposed. The broch, which has an elevation of about 6', has been situated some 20' to 30' back from the top of the scarp. The outline of the ruin is very indefinite, but the diameter appears to be about 56'. The top of the hillock over all measures some 110' in diameter. O.S.M., Caith., vi. (“ Cairn of Sibmister ”). Visited, 31st August 1910. 322. Brock (supposed), Olrig Glebe. —About 180 yards SW. of the Manse of Olrig, in the cultivated land of the glebe, is a stony mound 88 HKSTOKICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLANU) COMMISSION. Parish of Olkig. which probably coutains a broch. The mound is under cultivation and no sign of structure is visible. The diameter over all is some 96' and the elevation about 6'. 323. Broch (supposed), Olrig House. —In the park to the E. of Olrig House, and close beside the pond, is a large grassy mound. It has been much spread through being at one time under cultivation, and now has a diameter of about 120' with an elevation of about 7'. It is probably a broch, but no part of the structure is visible. O.S.M., Caith., vi. Visited, 31st August 1910. Sepulchral Constructions. 324. Chambered Cairn (long), Cooper s Hill. —On the top of a ridge known as Cooper’s Hill, and about m. SE. of the cottages at Loch- side, are the remains of a long cairn lying with its major axis NW. and SE. The prominent end of the cairn has been towards the SE. The extreme length along the mesial line is 220', but the construction has been dilapidated and spread owing to the cultivation of the land to such an extent that other dimensions are now indefinite. O.S.M., Caith., xii. (unnoted). Visited, 19th September 1910. 325. Cairn, “ Trothanmas Hillock” Netherside. —Some 200 yards S. by W. of Hayfield farm, beside the steading of Netherside, is a grassy hillock. It measures some 70' in diameter and 5' in elevation. About fifty years ago a stone cist was accidentally discovered in it and was immediately covered up again without any detailed observa¬ tions being made. O.S.M., Caith., vi. Visited, 31st August 1910. 326. Cairn, “ Bing Hillock’’ Hill of Whitefield. —At the edge of a grass park on the W. side of the road, some 300 yards N. of Birkle Hill quarry, and on the estate of Olrig, is a small cairn. It measures some 38' in diameter and some 5' 6" in elevation, and does not appear to have been excavated. O.S.M., Caith., xii. (“Mound”). Visited, 31st August 1910. Miscellaneous. 327. Mound, “ Methow Hillock.” —About i m. NE. of West Murkle farm, and about 100 yards back from the edge of the cliffs, is a large grassy mound known as the “ Methow Hillock.” It has an elevation of 10' or 11' and a diameter of 120', but it has been under cultivation and ploughed down to some extent. Beyond being artificial its character is indefinite. O.S.M., Caith., vi. Visited, 20th August 1910. 328. Mound, East Murkle. —Some 200 yards NW. of East Murkle farm, in the middle of a field, is a low stony mound overgrown with grass. It has long been under cultivation and its dimensions and character are quite indefinite. It is stated on the O.S. map that at this spot were found a stone cist, querns, and human remains. O.S.M., Caixil, vi. (“ Cairn ”). Visited, 23rd August 1910. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 89 Parish of Olrig. 329. Mound/' Clin drag Tulloch,” HiJl of Clindrag. — On the top of the Hill of Clindrag towards its E. end is a small grass-covered mound across the top of which runs a stone wall. It has a diameter of some 40' and an elevation of 4'. Possibly it is a cairn, but there is no surface indication of its character. O.S.M., Oaith., vi. Visited, 31st August 1910. 330. Mounds. — On the hill of Olrig is a natural mound known as the “ Gallow Hill ” ; and near Hilliclay another natural hillock, bearing the name of “ Sysa,” is associated with the fairy lore of the district. O.S.M., Caith., xii. Visited, 31st August 1910. Sites. The O.S. maps indicate sites as under :— 331. 8t Coomb’s Kirk, Links of Old. Tain. O.S.IM., Caith., vi. 332. Ckajyel, Durran. „ „ xii. 333. Nunnery, S. of Murkle Bay. ,, „ vi. 334. “ Cairn of Hattel,” | m. NW. of Castlehill. „ „ „ 335. Sculptured Stone, Castlehill. „ , „ 336. Standing-Stone, \ m. N. of Mains of Murkle. „ „ 337. Kitchen Midden, Shelley Hill, Castletown. „ ,, ,, PA PISH OF KEAY. ECCLESIASTICAL STRUCTURES. 338. St Mary's Chapel, Lyhsler. —Situated on the W. side of Cross¬ kirk Pay, at a short distance back from the edge of the rocks, is the riuned chapel of St Mary’s. It consists of a nave and chancel both rootless, and the latter a reconstruction on the old foundations used as a burial-place, separated from the nave by a solid wall pierced in the centre by a doorway. The nave measures 17' 10" from E. to W. by 10' 11" from N. to S. interiorly. The walls, which are built of the whinstoue of the district in irregular courses from 3" to 10" deep, are about 4' in thickness in the nave and 2' 6" in the chancel. In the nave the N. wall, which is still about its original height, is 8' in elevation above the ground level. The S. wall is partly broken but has still a height of from 6' to 7'. The Nf. wall stands to a height of 11' 8" and the E. to about 15' In the W. end is an entrance, now closed up, 2' 3" wide at bottom, 1' 9" wide at the top, and 3' 11" high. There is no trace of a window. The entrance to the chancel is 2' 9" wide at the bottom, 2' 1" at the top, and about the same height as the doorway. The chancel measures 11' 3" from E. to Nl. by 10' 9" from N. to S. The W. wall of the nave, on the exterior, is in rather a ruinous state and the upper part considerably broken down. This chapel is much the oldest ecclesiastical structure remaining in Caithness, and may possibly date from the 12th century. Plans and elevations of it, prepared by Sir Henry Dryden in 1871, are preserved in the Library of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in Edinburgh, and are here reproduced (fig. 18). In the “Description of the Parish of Pieay ” contained in Macfarlane’s Geographical Collec- 90 HISTORICAL IMONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Tarish of Keay. ly. £nD OF ni^V£ £ £/D£ £ EriD OF nm £ ^/ot A^ODERN £NTUAHCE Fig. 18.—St Mary’s Chapel, Lybster (No. 338); Plan and Sections. tions and dated June 1726, this chapel is said to have been dedicated to St Peter. There is said to be in its vicinity a spring known as St Mary’s well. See Eccles. Arch.,i. p. 162; Muir’s .S'cc^es. iVb^es, p. 107; Anderson, Scot, in Early Christ. Times, p. 62; Macfarlane’s Oeog. Coll., i. p. 185; Orhieyinga Saga (Anderson), pp. xcvii.-xcviii.; Eccles. Hist. Caith., p. 39. O.S.M., Caith., iv. Visited, 25th August 1910. 339. Beay Church. —In the NE. corner of the churchyard of Eeay are the reconstructed remains of part of the old church, measuring interiorly 16' 2" x 11' 8". Towards the S. end is a tablet bearing two conjoined shields. Dexter, On a chevron between three bears’ heads couped, a buck’s head erased between two hands holding daggers, all proper; Sinister, Quarterly, 1st and 4th, the Sinclair galley; 2nd and 3rd a lion rampant; dividing the quarters a cross engrailed. Beneath, the remains of an inscription to the effect that the aisle or a part of it belongs to Angus Mackay of Bighouse. On the end wall to Ancienf aitil Hidoricnl ^folnnneilts — Caithness. Plate XXXI.—Sculptured Stone, Reay (No. 340). To face p. 91. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 91 Parish of Eeay. the right of the entrance is another panel bearing at the top the IVI initials D M and mm ; in the centre, a shield charged with an eagle’s head erased, dividing the date 1691 and the motto time deum. On the lower part is an inscription narrating that the fourth part of this “ ile ” belongs to Mr David Munro and Margaret Munro. 340. Sculptur.ed Stone, Reay. —Set into the W. wall of the remains of the old church, towards its N. end, is a rectangular slab of grey sandstone (pi. XXXI.) 6' 4" in length, 2' 3|" in width at the top, 1' 11" in width at the bottom, and 3i" thick. It is sculptured in relief on one face thus;—In the centre of the slab a cross with square ends to the arms, round hollows in the angles, and a ring connecting them together; a short shaft and a rectangular base the whole width of the stone. The ornament on the cross is arranged in five different divisions, the central boss being a separate panel surrounded by a border, and the other divisions being marked by a change in the pattern. The ornament on the left and right arms and on the base is a key pattern, on the shaft circular knot work; on the top arm the pattern is defaced by a modern inscription— ROBERT m'^kay 17 The stone, till recently, stood in the old burial-ground over an eighteenth-century grave. See Early Ghrid. Mon., pt. iii. p. 36 (illus.). Sep idchral l^Fonuments. Lying in the churchyard of Eeay are a number of old tombstones bearing heraldic and other devices of interest. 341. At the W. end of the graveyard is a slab (pi. XXXII.) measuring superficially 3' 10" xl' 11". At the head of the stone are two heraldic shields beneath the initials I'^^i and Ei respectively, carved in relief. The shields hear arms. Dexter, three stars with a crescent at fess ])oint for limes; Sinister, a saltire and chief—the latter charged with three cushions for Johnstone. Beneath the shields runs the following Latin inscription in incised lettering, viz:— vox DIXIT PRAiDICA DIXIT QUE QUID PRyE DICATURUS SUM OMNEM CARN EM ESSE GRAMEN PULVIS ET UMBRA SUMUS PULVIS NI HIL EST NISI FUMUS SED NIHIL EST FUM¬ US NOS NIHIL ERGO SUMUS QUEM NON FALCE METIT FERA MORS QUIS MO ... . SEPULCHRI OBRUT US INFERNO VICT . . . . AB ORBE REDIT. 92 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of PtEAY. 342. To the E. of this stone lies another slab, measuring 5' 5" in length by 2' 5" in breadth at the upper end, and tapering slightly to the foot. In the centre an oval compartment contains the monogram of Magnus Gun, while around the edge of the stone and across the top runs the following inscription :— HEIR LYES THE CORPS OF MAGNUS GUN ANE HONEST MAN HUSBAND TO HELLEN TAYLOR WHO DEPARTED THE.OF MA . . ., 1705. On the lower part of the stone are a skull and cross-bones, spade and shovel, and other emblems of mortality. O.S.M., Caith., X. Visited, 16th September 1910. Castellated and Domestic Structure. 343. Dounreciy Castle. —At the W. end of the farm buildings at Lower Dounreay are the remains of Dounreay Castle. It is a structure on an L plan, the main block measuring 39'6" x 23' 8", and the wing 14' 4" x 18' 6", with walls some 3' 6" in thickness. It consisted of two storeys and a basement. The entrance door occupies the usual position in the re-entering angle on the ground floor. On the left of the doorway a square staircase under a vaulted roof leads to a landing on the first floor, whence a newel stair in the thickness of the wall leads upwards. The floors have all fallen. On the first floor has been a hall and private room. There have been small cup¬ boards and garde-roles in the walls, and the window recesses have been fitted with seats. The mouldings around the fire-places consist of a bead and hollow. The erection of this castle probably dates from the latter half of the 16th century. The lands of Dounreay were acquired by William Sinclair of Dunbeath from Adam, Bishop of Orkney, in 1562 and 1564. Sir Kobert Gordon avers that the acquisition was by the Earl of Caith¬ ness, and that Sinclair, in whose custody between 1563 and 1565 the Earl had deposited his writs on his going to Flanders, suppressed them and obtained a fresh grant in his own favour. Subsequently Sinclair was much harassed by the Earl, who laid siege to the castle. In 1726 it is described as “one of the Earl of Caithness’s lodgeings.” It was occupied during the latter half of the 19th century, but is now unroofed and rapidly falling into ruins. See Macfarlane’s Geog. Coll., i. p. 184; Gordon’s Earldom of Sutherland, p. 148. O.S.M., Caith., iv. Visited, 25th August 1910. Defensive Constructions. 344. Brocli,“ Tidlocli of Stemster" Stemster. —Some 200 yards SSE. of the farm-house of Stemster is a grassy knoll on which are the remains of a broch. The situation is a slight hollow at the top of a long slope up from the left bank of the Forss water, and the broch is, in consequence, not seen from the valley below. The sides of the mound are steeply scarped to a height of about 8', and at the base, on the NNW., a built face is exposed, showing that the mound has INVENTORV OF MONUMENTS, ETO., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 93 Parish of Eeay probably been revetted. The broch has been situated at one side of the knoll, leaving a space some 30' in width in front of it. The elevation of the mound containing the ruins is about 5' and its diameter 70'. No part of the structure is visible. Over the top are a number of circular hollows, from 2' to 3' in depth, and varying from 10' to 15' in diameter, which appear to be the remains of secondary constructions. The edge of the knoll has been surmounted by a parapet. O.S.M., Caith., X. Visited, 17th August 1910. 345. Broch, Stemster .—At the edge of a field, about | m. N. of Stemster Farm, is a conical grassy mound which appears to contain the ruins of a broch. One half of it has been under cultivation and at no point is any part of the structure exposed. The mound has an elevation of about 11' and a diameter over all of 108.' O.S.M., Caith., iv. Visited, 17tb August 1910. 346. Broch, “ Tulloch of Lyhsier,” Hill of Lyhder. —On the W. side of the farm road leading from Lybster to Crosskirk, and about half¬ way between the the two places, are the ruins of a broch. The tower has been surrounded by a rampart and ditch, the former some 23' distant from its base and faced with stone on the inner side. The land around is under cultivation, but these defences are still visible on the S. and S\V. The broch itself has been cleared out and a wide gap made through the wall on the SE. and NW. The interior diameter lias been about 32' 6" and the thickness of the wall 14' 6". Small portions of the inner face of the wall are exposed at various points, and also of the exterior face, but the structure is much ruined. Against the outer wall towards the E. are slight remains of secondary buildings. O.S.M., Caith., iv. Visited, 25th August 1910. 347. Broch, Crosskirk .—At the edge of the rocks about 30 yards to the N. of the ruined church of St Mary’s, Lybster (No. 338), are the remains of a large broch. The structure has been broken into to a small extent on the S., from which direction the entrance appears to have been. The interior diameter is not accurately ascertainable without excavation, but has been approximately 30' to 32'. The thickness of the wall is 14' to 15'. The top of the mound covering the wall is some 6' above the ground level on the exterior and 5' on the interior. On the left of the position of the entrance the sides of a chamber are visible in the wall. On the exterior, at the edge of the cliff, for a distance of some 20', a portion of wall, about 4' to 5' in height, is exposed. On the landward side, about 10' from the broch, are the remains of an outer bank or wall now some 8' wide at base. 'The symbol stone (No. 405), said to have been found in this broch, is illustrated in 'The Early Christian Monuments of Scotland, pt. iii. p. 30. O.S.M., Caith., iv. Visited, 25th August 1910. 348. Broch, “ Green Tullochs,” Borroioston^ Mains .—At the edge of the cliffs which descend in broken terraces of rock to the water’s 9-1 HISTORICAL ]\rONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Eeay. edge some 600 or 700 yards NNW. of the farm of Borrowston Mains are the ruins of a broch. The walls seem to have gradually settled down and disintegrated, so that the ruin is now in appearance a penannular ring of slaty fragments some 12' high broadening to the base, but with the interior comparatively free from debris. The ring is incomplete by reason that on the NE. a narrow goe has eaten its way so far into the rock as to have entirely undermined the broch wall ill that direction, and brought about its fall. Nor is the destruc¬ tion of the wall the only evidence of erosion, for 35' out from the inner end of the geo is exposed on the surface the ragged section of a bank of earth and stone, which originally formed a defence to the seaward of the broch some 22' distant from its base. The entrance has been apparently through the portion of the wall which has fallen on the NE. The thickness of the wall is some 14' to 15' and the diameter of the interior about 43'. At several places the outer and inner faces of the wall are visible beneath the debris. The tower appears to have been surrounded at 2' 7" from its base by a wall, visible at the edge of the geo. 4' 9" in thickness. Some 22' from the tower are the remains of the encircling bank, a section of which is visible on the side of the geo, and which appears to have been surmounted by a wall, a small portion of which, displaced, is visible on the E. In front of this rampart is a ditch some 18' in width, and now, at most, about 4' in depth, with a low mound along the top of the counterscarp. The O.S. map indicates that a stone cist containing human remains was found near the spot in 1871. O.S.M., Caith., iv. (“ Broughs ”). Visited, 16th September 1910. 349. Broch, “ Knock Urray,” Lower Bounreay. —About 1- m. S. of Dounreay farm-house is a grassy mound on the top of which are the ruins of a broch. It is situated partially in two fields, the dyke passing across the centre. The diameter over all is some 87' and of the area containing the broch about 54'. The greatest elevation is about 10'. Euins are visible on the E. side but no wall face appears. There are traces of a surrounding ditch. 350. Broch, “ Achbuiligan Tulloch,” Ugiper Dounreay. —In a field about 100 yards NE. of Loch Achbuiligan and about I- m. WSW. of Upper Dounreay, is a grassy mound containing the ruins of a broch situated towards its SW. end. The area covered by the broch measures approximately 60' and the depression marking the interior about 27', but no wall faces are exposed. On the SW. the slope is steep and has an elevation of 13', while from the opposite direction the ground rises gradually. On the N. the ruin has been pillaged to some extent. O.S.M., Caith., x. Visited, 25th August 1910. 351. Broch, Achunahust. —About 100 yards NW. of Achunabust farm-house is a grassy hillock containing the ruins of a broch. The outline of the tower is visible at one or two points and indicates a diameter over all of about 53'. On the W. a chamber has been exposed by the falling in of the roof. The greatest height INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 95 Parish of Eeay. of the mound covering the broch is 6'. Towards the W. there appear to have been numerous out-buildings. O.S.M.. Caith., X. Visited, 8th September 1910. 352. Broch, Creag Leathan, Aehvarasdal. —On the haunch of Creag Leathan, facing the N., and some | m. S. of Aehvarasdal Lodge, are the remains of a construction most probably a broch. The stones have been in great measure removed from it, and all details obliterated. The original diameter has been about 66'. O.S.M., Caith., x. (“ Mound ”). Visited, 8th September 1910. 353. Broch, Aehvarasdal Lodge. —Situated in a small park im¬ mediately to the N. of Aehvarasdal Lodge, is a broch which has been excavated. The entrance is from ESE. through the wall 13' in thick¬ ness. At 4' inwards are checks for a door formed by a rebate of the passage wall, and on the left behind this a rebuilt portion of wall appears to indicate the entrance to a guard chamber. The width of the entrance passage is 2' 9" at the outer end, 2' 6" at the inner end, and 3' 7" behind the door checks. The height of the passage walls is 5' 4" and the covering slabs are all removed. The interior diameter of the broch is 33'. From the inner end of the entrance passage on the right at 19' 6" distant, measured direct, is an entrance 2' wide giving access to a chamber in part reconstructed, from which has apparently risen the stair. In the interior the average height of the broch wall, which has been in places built up, is 5' 3", while on the exterior it has not been exposed. There are indications of considerable outbuildings which have not been excavated. A rotary quern and a mortar of large size, the bottom of which has been broken out, lie in the interior; and there are preserved at Aehvarasdal Lodge two narrow oblong sharpening stones, rectangular in section, of a fine¬ grained, dark coloured stone. O.S.M., Caith., x. Visited, 16th September 1910. 354. Fort, “ Buaile Oscar,” Ben Freiceadain. —On the summit of Ben Freiceadain, at an elevation of some 750' above sea-level, is a stone-built fort. It occupies the whole of the summit, which measures some 850'x 500' (O.S. measurement), and is oval in outline. Commencing where the slope of the hill is less steep on the W., a stone wall some 5' in thickness has been built along the edge of a natural terrace, which stretches on an average for a distance of some 20' out from the base of the outcropping rock which forms the side of the actual summit. This wall is carried round the N. end of the hill on the upper slope and terminates on the NE. Thence, round by the S. to the point of its commencement, the scarp of outcropping rock and the natural declivity of the hill are so steep as to render an artificial defence unnecessary. From WNW. there has been an entrance some 5' broad through the wall, which at this point has been increased in width to some 15'. On the left or N. side of the entrance in the interior a large slab, 3' in height, 3' 6" in breadth, and 5' in thickness, stands against the face of the wall in the same manner as the slabs at the entrance to the fort of Garrywhin (No. 528). 96 HISTORICAL JIONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Eeay. On the summit towards the N. end are the remains of a chambered cairn (No. 361). O.S.M., Caith., xvii. Visited, 9th August 1910. 355. Fort, Cnoc an Batha, Shurrerij .—Occupying the N. end of an eminence that rises from the moor of Brawlbin, about f m. SSE. of __ 5C/fLC rof^ pL/=1N /7/V£> Seictions Fcelt X , , , -T , , , , r£ T_ T Fig. 19.—Fort, Cnoo an Ratlia, Shurrery (No. 355); Ground-plan. Shurrery church, is a prehistoric fort (fig. 19). It is an irregular oval in form, following the contour of the hill, except on the SW. where a straight base crosses the ridge from side to side. It is surrounded by a stone wall some 6' to 7' in thickness, and about 2' in height on INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS, 97 Parish of Reay. the external face. Interiorly it measures some 340' from N. to S. by 300' at the v/idest part from E. to W., and contains 1‘458 acre (O.S. measurement). An angle in the wall on the W. side suggests the position of an entrance, and a large slab protruding across the wall at the NE. may indicate the situation of another. The principal entrance, however, appears to have been from the SE. immediately to the S. of a large circular enclosure, which abuts on the outer wall towards the S, end of the E. side. This entrance appears to have been 4' in width. The circular enclosure referred to is entered from the E. and measures interiorly 27' x 32'. It is surrounded by a stone wall, now ruined, some 7' 6" in thickness. The interior of this enclosure has been excavated to a depth of several feet at the back so as to bring the floor to the level of the entrance on the lower slope of the hill. Within the interior of the fort at the SW. angle, some 15' back from the wall, are the remains of another small enclosure, with a diameter over all of some 25'. It has been entered from the SE. In the interior the wall is visible for a height of about 1'6", and suggests a “bee-hive” structure. There appear to be two small chambers to the right and left of the end of the entrance passage about 5' in diameter, but the plan is not clear. At the S. end of the low ridge on which the fort stands are the indefinite remains of a small structure, apparently circular. O.S.M., Caitil, xvi. Visited, 11th August 1910. Hut Circles. 356. Hid Circle, Brawlbin .—About | m. NNW. of Dorrery Lodge, and immediately to the E. of the march fence, is a stone-built circular construction of indefinite character. Its diameter over all is 45'. The entrance seems to have been from the S. directly through a wall about 9' in thickness, thereafter by a passage 2' in width passing round to the E. The central part of the construction, with a diameter of some 13', appears to be built. In it and in the outer wall there have been small round chambers faced with large slabs. The whole construction is in a dilapidated state and the details of its plan very obscure. O.S.IM., Caith., xvii. (“Torr Phadruig”). Visited, 9th August 1910. 357. Jfid Circle, do .—About 1 m. NNW. of Dorrery Lodge, at the base of the eastern slope of Ben Freiceadain, is a well-preserved hut circle (fig. 20). The enclosing wall is largely overgrown with vegetation, but on the outside towards the S. it is exposed in places to a height of 2'. The thickness of the main wall of the circle is 6', increas¬ ing to 9' on either side of the entrance. It is entered from the ESE. through a passage in the thickness of the wall 9' in length, 5' in width at the outer end and 2' 3" at the interior. At 4' from the inner end two upright stones in situ have evidently formed jambs constricting the width of the passage to 1' 6". Interiorly the circle, which is of pear- shaped form, measures 27' X 31'. The interior is divided into two by a wall some 2' 6" in breadth, forming an arc having its concave out¬ line facing the entrance at 17' distant from it. There seems to have been an entrance to the back enclosure near the centre of the cross 7 98 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of PiEay. wall. Against the dividing wall, and in the front compartment on the left of the entrance to the back, has been a small circular enclosure - 1 — Fig. 20.—Hut Circle, Brawlbin (No. 357); Ground-plan. measuring interiorly some 5' x 4'. The level of the back division is rather higher than that of the front. The main wall in the interior at highest has an elevation of nearly 4'. Against the external face of the wall on the E. side of the entrance are indications of a small outer construction. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. Visited, 9th August 1910. 358. Hut Circle, Slmrrery .—On the E. side of the road, some 200 yards N. of the N. end of Loch Shurrery, is a circular construction surrounded by a stone wall some 6' in thickness. The entrance appears to have been from the SE. The interior diameter is about 26'. Opening out of the main enclosure towards the W. and ISTW. have been small circular enclosures of indefinite diameter. The whole structure is much overgrown. O.S.M., Caith., xvi. Visited, 11th August 1910. Sepulchral Constructions. 359. Chanibered Cairn, “ Torr Beag,” Brawlbin .—About 1 m. NW. of Dorrery Lodge is a large cairn which has been broken into at no distant date. The chamber is in part wrecked, but does not appear to have been cleared out. The diameter over all is 52' and the elevation about 8'. To the N. and E. of the cairn lie several small circular stony mounds with diameters of from 12' to 16' and elevations of 11/ to 2'. O.S. M., Caith., xvii. Visited, 9th August 1910. AiiciDit (tinl Hisfon'cnl Monuments — Caithness. Platk XXXIII.--Cairn, SluuTery (No. 3(52). To face p. 99. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 99 Parish of Keay. 360. Cairn, Lamhsdale Leans. —On the E. bank of the Torran Water, about ^ m. above its influx into Loch Shurrery, is a cairn overgrown with grass. It is slightly oblong on plan, lying with its longest axis E. and W., and rises in height towards the latter direction. In diameter it measures 55' from E. to W. by 41' from N. to S. Its elevation at the E. end is trifling and at the W. 6' or thereby. It has not been excavated. O.S.M., Caith., xvi. (“ Mound ”). Visited, 9th August 1910. 361. Chambered Cairn, Ben Freiceadain. —On the summit of Ben Freiceadain, towards the N. end of the interior of the fort (No. 354), is a cairn which has been dug into. The diameter over all is 50' and the elevation 6'. One or two large slabs protruding near the centre indicate a chambered character. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. (“Mound ”). Visited, 9th August 1910. 362. Chambered Cairn, Shurrei’y. —Between the church at Shurrery and the house of Mr William Farquhar, which stands in rear of it, is a large cairn (pi. XXXIII.). From E. to W. it measures some 90' and from N. to S. now about the same, but the building of the church and the operations on the croft have probably curtailed its dimensions in the latter direction. Its elevation is from 6' to 7'. Along the E. side towards the N. end four large slabs stand exposed, edge on against the cairn, with their faces parallel, and one other which has occupied a similar position lies on its side, while continuing the direction of the row towards the S. other three slabs are visible merely protruding from the surface. The slabs measure from 4' to 5' in height above ground, 3' to 4' in breadth, and about 10" in thickness. If the fallen stone was re-erected they would each stand from 4' to 5' apart. On the W. side of the cairn two slabs similarly set, placed at 14' and 18' distant from members of the row opposite, appear to belong to a parallel row. This cairn is apparently of a plan not hitherto revealed by ex¬ cavation, but it probably resembles in its complex character some of the cairns of Orkney. O.S.M., Caith., xvi. Visited, 11th August 1910. 363. Chambered Cairn, Sh,urrery.- —About j m. SE. of the church are the inconsiderable remains of a large circular cairn with a diameter of about 100', which has been recently demolished for road metal. In the interior are still remaining a number of large upright slabs set on their edges. The positions of these slabs indicate that there has been a chamber of complex character, or possibly two parallel chambers, entering from the SE. The back slab of the most southerly is some 49' in from the edge of the cairn in that direction and 45' from the edge at the opposite side. Some 7' 6" to the NE., and nearly in alignment, is another slab 7' in length, which appears to have formed the back of a second chamber, one wall of which is just apparent 5' 9" in length, built at right angles to it. A number of the slabs have been removed and the whole cairn so much destroyed that its plan is no longer apparent. O.S.M., Caith., xvi. Visited, 13th September 1910. 364. Chambered Cairn, “ Shcan fl/b?’,” Brawlbin.—About 1 m. SW. of the farm of Mains of Brawlbin, on the moor is a green mound 100 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Ebay. (pi. XXXIV.). In diameter it measures over all 50' and in elevation about 6'. On the top is a slight circular depression some 12' to 13' in diameter. Facing EXE., some 16' in from the outer edge, an entrance is exposed 3' 6" in width passing beneath a lintel 8' 4" in length, 2' 10" in breadth, and 9" in thickness. Immediately in rear of this lintel is a second, similar in length and breadth but 1' 9" in thickness. The sides of the passage supporting these massive blocks of stone are built and are exposed for a length of 6' 6". The entrance is filled to a height of 1' 7" from the lintels. The uncovered upper sides of the lintels are almost level with the top of the mound and there is no indication of the cairn having risen above them. The inner side of the back lintel is 28' distant from the edge of the mound at the back. In rear of the back lintel two upright flags, set edgewise to the wall of the passage, are visible. This appears to be a chambered cairn and the height and width of the entrance passage are very remarkable. There is no indication of excavation. Some 60' to the N. are the indefinite remains of another construc¬ tion, of slight elevation and entirely overgrown with turf. From the surface here and there protrude the heads of thin slabs set on end, but without excavation the plan and character of the construction cannot be determined. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. Visited, 11th August 1910. 365. Charribered Cairn {horned, long), Brawlbin .—On the moor of Brawlbin, about 100 yards NW. of Loch a’ Mhuilinn, are the remains of a horned long cairn. It lies with its longest axis NNE. and SSW., rising and expanding in the former direction. The body of the cairn, except the high portion at the XNE. end, which probably contains the chamber, has been removed for the sake of its stones, a mere line along each side being left. At the SSW. end the existence of the horns is apparent, but as they are entirely overgrown, their exact dimensions are not accurately obtainable without excavation. The distance between what appears to be their outer points is 45', and the length thence to the centre of that end of the cairn is 28'. At the NNE. end the horns are not evident. The total length of the cairn is some 200', its breadth at the XNE. end 54' and across the body at the SSW. end 30'. The elevation at the former end is about 10'. A slight circular depression, about 8' in diameter at the high end, probably indicates the position of the chamber. On the W. side, towards the S. end, the outer constructional wall is still quite evident. Some 60' from the SSE. end a large upright slab, standing at right angles to the main axis, possibly indicates the site of a chamber. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. (unnoted). Visited, 11th August 1910. 366. Cairns, Hill of Shehster .—On the S. end of the Hill of Shebster, to the E. of the church, and some 200 yards N. of the road, is the site of a cairn. Material has been removed from it quite recently. Some 40 yards to the E. of it is a small, low cairn or mound with a diameter of about 16'. In the centre there is exposed a cist lying E. and W., measuring 4' 3" in length to the W. end of the side slabs. Ancient and Hisforiail Monume/iftt — Caithness. Plate XXXV.- Horned, long Cairn, Cnoc Freiceadain (Xo. 370). To face p. 100. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 101 Parish of Eeay. and 1' 8" in breadth. The slab at the W. end has been removed, as also the covering slab. On the slope of the hill to the S. are the remains of other two or three stony mounds. O.S.M., Caith., X. Visited, 15th August 1910. 367. Chambered Cairn, Hill of Shebster. —Occupying a conspicuous position on the summit of the Hill of Shebster, some 400' above sea- level, are the remains of a large chambered cairn. The diameter of the cairn has been between 80' and 90', arid a number of thin slabs protruding from the debris, indicate the position and extent of the chamber. The highest of these slabs is only some 2' 6" above the present level, and the others merely protrude from the surface. The chamber appears to have been 23' in length, and to have been divided into four compartments by large divisional stones and entered by a passage from ESE., along the direction of the main axis of the chamber. At 30' in from the WNW. edge of the cairn is the top of a slab set on end, 4' in length, which apparently marks the back of the chamber. A little excavation would no doubt furnish the complete plan. O.S.M., Caith., x. Visited, 15th August 1910. 368. Cairn, Ac.hiebraeskiall. —On the slope of the hill to the E. of Shebster Hill, and by the side of a peat road leading from the Yellow Moss to Achreamie, is a grassy hillock which appears to be a cairn. It has a diameter of 81' and an elevation of from 6' to 8'. There is no sign of its having been excavated. O.S.M., Caith., x. Visited, 15th August 1910. 369. Chambered Cairn {horned, lony), “ Tri Shean,” Cnoc Freiceadain. —On the top of Cnoc Freiceadain, the summit to tlie N. of the Hill of Shebster, is a horned long cairn, one of the finest examples of this class of cairn in the county, and apparently un¬ excavated. Being overgrown with turf, the exact configuration and measurements of the horns are not obtainable, but their existence is quite evident. The cairn lies with its longest axis WNW. and ESE., and has an extreme length from tip to tip of the horns of 255.' The main body measures from 37' to 40' in breadth and 4' to 5' in elevation. It expands and rises towards both ends, but to the greatest extent towards the ENE. In that direction it commences to expand some 70' from the end and attains to a breadth of 60' and a height of 10'. The horns at this end appear to be about 28' in length, and to terminate obtusely. The distance between their outer extremities is some 73', and from the centre of the concave outline of the cairn 38' or 39'. Towards the WNW. the expansion and increase of eleva¬ tion begin about 40' from the end, and attain to 56' in breadth and 7' in height. The general appearance at this end is that of a second circular cairn set on the low extremity of a long one. In rear of it is a slight trench across tlie body of the cairn. The horns seem to be shorter than at the opposite end, and to measure about 15' in length. The distance between their outer extremities is about 60', and thence to the centre of the concavity of the cairn 33'. The facing wall is visible on the S. side towards the ESE. end. A certain 102 HISTORICAL MONU^MENTS (SCOTLAND) COJtMISSION. Parish of Eeay. amount of quarrying has been done at both ends, and at no distant date, but there is no evidence of the excavation of the chamber or chambers. O.S.M., Caith., X. (“Supposed Broughs”). Visited. 15th August 1910. 370. Chambered Cairn {horned, long), Cnoc Freiceadain. —About 100 yards N. of the E. end of the long cairn (No. 369) is another cairn (pi. XXXV.) of similar type, stretching along the crest of the hill as it begins to slope towards the NNE. It lies NNE. and SSW. and rises in height and increases in breadth towards the latter direction. The horns at that extremity are not apparent on the surface, but at the NNE. end they are both visible, where that on the E. side has been exposed to some extent by the removal of the turf. The total length, irrespective of the horns at the SSW. end, is some 240'. The cairn begins to expand at about 60' from the SSW. end, and attains to a width of 53' and an elevation of 8'. Immediately in rear of the expanded head, which rises almost like a separate cairn, is a slight depression or trench across the body, which, however, is probably secondary. The breadth of the body of the cairn is about 35' and its elevation 4'. All along its length are small pits from which stones have been quarried. The width of the terminal portion towards the NNE. is 37' and its elevation about 4', but it has originally been higher, as three large slabs set on end protrude for about 1' 6" through the turf indicating the existence of a chamber. The length of the horns is about 20'; the distance between their outer extremities 46'; and thence to the centre of the concavity at that end of the cairn 29'. The SSW. end shows no signs of excavation, and the whole cairn is overgrown with turf. The O.S. map indicates “standing-stones” beside these cairns, but none were observed except those protruding from the denuded chamber at the NNW. end of the second cairn. O.S.M., Caith., x. Visited, 16th August 1910. 371. Cairn, Aclireamie .—In an enclosed area of moorland, about m. S. of Achreamie school, are the remains of a small round cairn. It has a diameter of about 35' and an elevation of about 3'. Much of it has been removed, but neither cist nor chamber has been exposed. O.S.M., Caith., x. (“Mound”). Visited, 16th August 1910. 372. Chambered Cairn {horned, round), Upper Dounreay .—On the W. end of a slight ridge about m. E. of Upper Dounreay are the remains of a horned round cairn. The heads of three large slabs pro¬ trude from the centre, indicating the position of the chamber, otherwise the whole cairn is overgrown with grass. The diameter of the body of the caii’n has been about 42'. The main axis of the chamber has been WNW. and ESE., but there is no sign of the direction of the entrance passage. The horns have been some 22' in length and 17' in breadth at base, while the distance between their extremities towards the WNW. has been 40'. At 13' from the outer end of the S. horn, laid at right angles to its direction, has been a cist. One end and one side, consisting of single slabs, remain, showing a length INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 103 Parish of Eeay. of 3' 9" and a width of 1' 8". The upper edge of the slabs is level with the present surface, and they are exposed for a height of some 8". O.S.M., Caith., X. Visited, 16th August 1910. 373. Chambered Cairn, Loch Calder. —On the W. side of Loch Calder, about f m. from the S. end of the loch, and about | m. NNW. of Carriside, is a chambered cairn. The diameter over all is 70' and the greatest elevation is 6'. The entrance has been from the ESE., and some 18' from the outer edge in that direction two thin slabs, 2' 9" apart, protrude from the turf with which the cairn is overgrown, while in front of them lies a stone which has evidently formed a lintel. In rear of these stones several other parallel slabs protrude, indicating the divisions of the chamber and of the back. The slab occupying the latter position is 5' broad. None of the slabs extend above ground for a greater lieight than 1' 7". No parts of the walls of the chamber are visible. A large amount of stone has evidently at some time been removed from the cairn on the SE. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. Visited, 22nd August 1910. 374. Chamhered, Cairn {horned, round), “ Cmc na h-Uiseig” Lower Dounreay. —About 1 m. NE. of Lower Dounreay, and m. back from the shore, is a green hillock wliich appears to be a horned round cairn. It measures some 6' to 8' in elevation. Across the centre, between the horns, the diameter is 58', and along the horns 70'. A large stone near the centre of the concavity on the SE. probably marks the position of the entrance. On the E. side of the NE. horn a portion of the facing wall of thin slabs is visible. The outlines of the horns are not sufficiently definite for measurement. The cairn does not seem to have been excavated. O.S.M., Caith., iv. Visited, 25th August 1910. 375. Cairn, Knock Stanger, Sanddde. —On the left bank of the burn that flows into Sandside Bay, about 100 yards above its mouth, is a high sandy mound on the sununit of which there appears to be a cairn. The whole is overgrown with bents, but the diameter of the cairn seems to be about 55' and its elevation 11' or 12'. It does not appear to have been excavated. O.S.M., Caith., ix. (“ Piet’s House”). Visited, 29th August 1910. 376. Chambered Cairn, Brawlbin . — On the moorland to the SW. of Shinnery, and about i m. NE. of the cairn on the summit of Beinn Freiceadain, is a small round chambered cairn. It has been dilapidated to a considerable extent, and several large upright slabs stand exposed about the centre. The diameter is some 35' and the elevation is now inconsiderable. O.S.M., Caith., xvii. (unnoted). Visited, 13th September 1910. 377. Chamhered Cairn, do. — On the moor about m. to the E. of the horned long cairn near Loch a’ Mhuilinn (No. 365), and to the W of the crofts at Brawlbin, are the remains of a small cairn. It is so dilapidated, and has been pillaged to sucli an extent for stones, that its dimensions are no longer obtainable. A single large upright slab protruding through the turf indicates its chambered character. O.S.IVL, Caith., xvii. (unnoted). Visited, 13th September 1910. 104 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Keay. 378. Cairn, Bon-owston Mains .—Some 100 yards to the SW. of the broch at Borrowston Mains (No. 348), near the edge of the cliff which fringes the shore, is a cairn with a diameter of some 80' and an elevation of 10' to 11'. It is grass-covered, except towards the W. where exposure to the elements has prevented the growth of vegetation. On the summit at the W. side, 1' below the surface, a short cist is exposed lying with its longer axis ESE. and WNW. It is covered by a slab measuring 2' 7" in length, 1' 8" in breadth, and 1" in thickness. The cist itself is 2' 1" long by 1' broad and 1' 3" deep, and is paved with four small flags. When cleared out there were found near the centre of the floor about a dozen whelk shells, but no remains of any interment nor any fragments of pottery. This cairn and the adjacent broch are noted on the O.S. map as (“ Green Tullochs (Broughs) ”). O.S.M., Caith., iv. Visited, 16th September 1910. 379. Cairn, West iSliehster. —About I m. SW. of the cairn-like mound (No. 387) is a heap of small stones rising from the centre of the foundation of a larger construction which has possibly been a cairn. The original diameter has been about 54'. O.S.M., Caith., x. (“Cairn”). Visited, 8th September 1910. 380. “ Grey Cairn’’ West Shebster. — Some 300 yards to the E. of the last are the scanty remains of a cairn which has been almost entirely demolished. O.S.M., Caith., x. Visited, 8th September 1910. 381. Stone Circle {remains of), Shurrery .—About 120 yards S. of the church at Shurrery are two pointed stones set on end, the east- most measuring 3' 6" in breadth at base, 2' 2" in height and 1' in thickness, and the other 3' 2" in breadth, 2' in height and also 1' in thickness. They stand 11' 4" apart at slightly divergent angles, and appear to have formed part of a stone circle. The ground in front,where the rest of the circle would have stood, has been dug for peats. Both stones stand with their faces in line of the presumed circumference. O.S.M., Caith., xvi. (unnoted). Visited, 11th August 1910. 382. Stone Cists, Shurrery. —On the NE. side of the road from Shurrery to Brawlbin, about m. SE. of Shurrery church, at the W. end of a low natural ridge, are the remains of three small cist-like compartments formed of flags set on end. The best preserved is near the centre of the ridge. The flags of which it is formed stand 1' 2" above the ground level on the outside, but in the interior are exposed to a height of 2' 9". One side slab and the two end slabs remain. The length of the side slab is 3' 8" and the breadth of the end slabs 2' and 2' 8" respectively. The main axis lies NNW. and SSE. Some 10' to the NW. and the same distance to the SE. are the remains of similar cist-like constructions. There is no sign of the existence of a cairn or mound. O.S.M., Caith., xvi. and xvii. Visited, 11th August 1910. Miscellaneous Constructions. 383. Mound, Reay, —On the top of the hillock which rises to the S. of the Drill Hall at Eeay are the remains of a circular construction INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 105 Parish of Keay. with a diameter of about 50'. Its character is not obvious, and it may possibly be the remains of a demolished cairn. O.S.M., Caith., X. Visited, 16th September 1910. 384. Mound, “ Torr na Graoibhe,” Brouhster. —At the back of the shepherd’s house at Bridge of Broubster, is a large flat-topped grassy mound of artificial character. It measures over all about 130' in diameter and 6' to 8' in elevation. Around the sides the foundations of old cottages are visible but there is nothing to indicate the nature of the original construction. O.S.M., Caith., x. Visited, 8th September 1910. 385. Mound, East Skehster. —At East Shebster, on tbe E. side of the Moss, is a grass-covered mound of irregular contour, which pre¬ sents the appearance of a large cairn much pillaged for stones. It is oval on plan, measuring some 86' x 78'. The highest portion near the centre is 4' 6" in height. There are no indications of its character. O.S.M., Caith., x. (“Cairn”). Visited, 8th September 1910. 386. Mound, West Shebster. —On the N. side of West Shebster Hill, about ^ m. W. of the road from Shebster to Shurrery, is a grassy hillock which is stony and is possibly a cairn. It has a diameter of about 60' and an elevation of 4' 6". The outline, to some extent, seems to be marked by stones set on end, protruding a few inches from the turf. O.S.M., Caith., x. (“Cairn”). Visited, 8th September 1910. 387. Mound, do. —About ^ m. to the W. of the last is a cairn-like mound with a diameter of about 41' and elevation of about 3'. The surface is very uneven, and appears to have been overlaid with stones gathered from the surrounding land which has at one time been under cultivation. The true character of the mound is indeterminate. O.S.M., Caith., x. (“Cairn”). Visited, 8th September 1910. 388. Constructions, Brawlhin. —On the low side of the road from Shurrery to Brawlbin, about 1 m. SE. of the church at the former place, are the sites of two constructions presumably prehistoric. Being entirely overgrown with a deep sward their character is not evident. The construction nearest the road bears the name of “ Shean Buidhe.” O.S.M., Caith., xvii. (“ Cairns ”). Visited, 11th August 1910. 389. Gonstnoctions, “ Tulach Gorm,” Shurrery. —On the W. side of the road, about 600 yards N. of the N. end of Loch Shurrery, are the remains of a large, oval, many chambered construction. Over all it measures 88' from E. to W. by 56' from N. to S. Numerous large pointed stones protrude irregularly through the turf. At the E. side the outline of an oblong compartment some 23' in length by 10' in breadth is apparent, the wall of which at one end, built of very large stones, still stands to a height of about 3'. The outlines of founda¬ tions visible on the turf seem to indicate a number of small oblong compartments with probably a circular one in the centre, but without excavation the plan cannot be definitely determined. O.S.M., Caith., xvi. Visited, 11th August 1910. 106 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Reay. 390. Construction, Skurrery. —On the left bank of the Forse Water, about 1 m. down from Loch Shurrery, is a mound covered with the indefinite ruins of some primitive construction. It has been much quarried for stones and the plan is no longer evident. It has not the general appearance of a broch, though the small piece of wall visible on the S. resembles in its building tlie wall of such a structure. There appears to have been a main central circular area with a diameter of 24', entered from the W., with various chambers opening off it. To the N. are the ruins of several small detached buildings. O.S.M., Caith., xvi. (“Mound”). Visited, 11th August 1910. 391. Construction, “ Tota an Drannclain,” Torr a’ Bathaich, Shurrery .—Some 200 yards ENE. of the shepherd’s house at Torr a’ Bathaich, across the water from Creagan a’ Bheannaich (No. 409), and just outside the wall of an enclosed park, are the ruins of a large circular construction in the building of which stones of great size have been employed. It has been circular, with a diameter over all of 53'. The entrance has been from the NW., measuring 2' in width at its outer extremity, and the passage wall is evident on the right for a distance of 10'. On the left side it is less well preserved. On that side there appears to be an entrance to a chamber. The inner face of the wall is not visible. While in some respects the ruin resembles a broch, a number of large flat slabs, lying exposed over the surface and certain other features suggest that possibly it is not one. The elevation is some 4' to 5' at most. O.S.M., Caith., xvi. Visited, 11th August 1910. 392. Construction, Shurrery. —About \ m. down the Forse Water from Tigh a’ Bheannaich, on the same side of the river, are the indefinite remains of a large circular construction. A number of large slabs set upright protrude irregularly over the surface, but there are no indications of either the character or plan of construc¬ tion. It appears to have belonged to the same class as some of the other remains in the district. 0. S.M., Caith., xvi. (“ Cam Liath”). Visited, 11th August 1910. 393. Construction, Hill of Shebster. —At the SE. end of the Hill of Shebster, and about 100 yards N. of the upper end of the W. wall of the cultivated and enclosed parks at Shebster, are the ruins of a circular construction. Over all it has a diameter of some 58' and an elevation of 4'. Being entirely overgrown with thick turf its character is obscured. There is no indication of its having been a broch, and it more resembles the indefiiute constructions found near Shurrery. O.S.M., Caith., x. (“Cairn”). Visited, 15th August 1910. 394. Construction, rfo. —Some 80 yards to the westward of the last are the foundations of an oval or circular construction with a diameter of about 40'. There are a number of small circular depressions of some 5' or thereby in diameter in the interior, but the whole is overgrown with thick turf and the plan and character quite obscured. O.S.M., Caith., x. (unnoted). Visited, 15th August 1910. ANCIENT AND HISTORICAL MONUMENTS—CAITHNESS. I 9 INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 107 Parish of Peat. 395. Enclosure, “ Garadh an Batha’’ Brouhster. —On the W. side of the road, about I m. N. of the Bridge of Brouhster, is a pear-shaped enclosure. All around are the ruins of old crofts, and the character of the construction is uncertain. O.S.M., Caith., X. (“Cairn”). Visited, 8th September 1910. 396. Mound, “ Torr an t-Snkmihar —In the Leans of Achreregan, on the E. side of the road to Shurrery, and about | m. N. of Brouhster Bridge is a grassy cairn-like mound known as “ Torr an t-Sniomha.” It has a diameter of about 50' and an elevation of about 6'. It has been much dug into from the S. There are no slabs visible to indi¬ cate its character, but possibly it has been a kiln. O.S.M., Caith., x. Visited, 8th September 1910. 397. Btone Bows, Upfer Domireay. — In a hollow at the N. end of Cnoc Freiceadain, about f m. E. of Upper Dounreay, is a setting of stone rows (fig. 21). The rows, of which there appear to have been thirteen, lie in a general direction WNW. and ESE., radiating from the former direction, the expansion being principally directed towards the S. side of tlie monument. The stones are of the usual character—thin slabs protruding to about 1|' above ground, set with their faces across the rows. A number of the stones lie displaced and many are sunk beneath the surface. They stand some 4' to 5' apart, and the rows are 6' to 8' distant from each other near the contracted end and from 6' to 11' at their other termination. The number of stones remaining in situ appears to be about 115. The width across tlie rows at the narrow end of the monument has been some 44', and at the broad end about 115', while the length of the rows is about 100'. The largest stones are at the outer terminations of the rows. Four stones, from 1' to 1' 2" in length and the same in height above ground, placed so that they form a somewhat irregular square of 4' at the WNW., probably marks the original point from which the rows have radiated at the edge of the hollow. The stones are firmly wedged into the ground in the same manner as the other stones of the monument. Within the square there is no sign of a cist, nor does the soil appear to have been disturbed. Some two-thirds of the distance towards its broader extremity, the monument has been cut through by a road, and possibly a similar cause has destroyed the rows between the small square setting and their present commencemen t.* On the top of a bank to the W. of the stone rows there are * The following pa!?sage seems to be de.sci'iptive of a similar setting of stone rows at Borluni. It came under notice after the inspection of the monuments in the county had been completed, and inquiries made locally have failed to lead to the identification of the monument: — “On a ridge of the Borlum Hills, and within sight of Achinabest, is a quantity of upright stones about 6' apart aiid in straight rows as if of an ancient burying-ground. The peculiarity is that there are two groups at a dis¬ tance of 100 yards from each other, the largest of which would represent, from the number of stones in it, the burial of ninety persons at least, the lesser group lower down the ridge counting about fifty. Above both groups, against a long wall-like rock, there is a large enclosure with apparently a fortified gate, which has the character of an entrenchment or place of .safety.” (The Gunns p. 55.) 108 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Reay. remains of two constructions which may have been small hut circles or mounds, but their character is now indefinite. O.S.M., Caith., X. Visited, 16th August 1910. 398. Standing-Stone, Shurrery. —Some 300 yards SSE. of the church at Shurrery is a standing-stone. It is a broad angular slab, pointed upwards, measuring 3' 6" in height, 4' in breadth at the centre, 2' 8" in breadth at the base, and 1' 4" in thickness. It faces NE. and SW. At 147' to the NE. of it, a pointed stone set on end protrudes some 2' from the peat in which it is firmly set. 0 S.M., Caith., xvi. Visited, 11th August 1910. 399. Standing-Stone, Upper Doimo'eay. —In a grass park | m. E. of Upper Dounreay, and about 200 yards W. of the horned round cairn (No. 372), is a large standing-stone. It is a slab of sandstone, slightly pointed at the upper end, 6' 7" in height above ground, 4' 2" in breadth, and 1' in thickness. It faces ESE. and WNW. 400. Standing-Stone, do. —Some 300 yards ESE. of the farm-house of Upper Dounreay is a large columnar boulder in the middle of a corn field. It is roughly quadrangular, measuring 6' in length by 2' 4" or thereby across each face, and is now tilted considerably towards the W. O.S.M., Caith., x. Visited, 16th August 1910. 401. Standing-Stones, Brouhster Village. — On the moor to the eastwards of the ruined croft of Aultan, and about f m. E. of Broubster Village, are two standing-stones about 120 yards distant from each other. The southmost stone measures 3' 10" in height, 2' in breadth, and 8" in thickness. It faces ENE. and WSW., and is pointed towards the upper end. The second stone stands to the northwards and faces N. and S. It measures 4' 6" in height, 2' 1" in breadth, 1' 1" in thickness at base decreasing to 7" upwards. There are no stones visible as parts of a setting anywhere between these two monoliths. 402. Standing-Stones, Aultan, Broubster. —About 100 yards SW. of the ruined croft of Aultan, and m. ENE. of Broubster Village, is a standing-stone, measuring 4' in height above ground, 2' 4" in breadth, and 10" in thickness. It faces E. and W., and is pointed towards the upper end. In its immediate vicinity are several other slabs, apparently set on end, protruding to a less degree above ground. They are, however, irregularly placed, and it is doubtful if they have formed part of a prehistoric setting of stones. The adjacent ground has been under cultivation. O.S.M., Caith., x. Visited, 22nd August 1910. 403. Standing-Stone, “ Clach Clais an Tuirc,” Achvarasdal Burn. — Situated on slightly elevated ground to the E. of the Achvarasdal Burn, just where it issues from the pass between Creag Mhor and Creag Bheag, is a standing-stone known as “ Clach Clais an Tuirc ” (pi. XXXVIII.). It is a quadrangular block measuring 6' 2" in height above ground, 3' 6" in greatest breadth, 2' 11" in breadth at base, and 2' in thickness. It faces E. and W. O.S.M., Caith., x. Visited, 8th September 1910. 1 i % Anciint and Hixlorintl Adointmeiifti — Cailhnest;. To face p. 109 . INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 109 Parish of Keay. 404. Standing-Stones, Achvarasdal Lodge. —Some 60 yards to the NE. of the kitchen-garden at Achvarasdal Lodge lies a large fallen monolith, measuring 11' 10" in length, and square in section, with a diameter of 2' 6"; while some 60' to the S. of it lies another similar stone, 11' 6" in length, also rectangular in section, with a diameter of 2' 5" at base and less at the opposite end. Both stones lie pointing in the same direction, viz., E. and W., and have evidently at one time been standing-stones. 0 S.M., Caith., X. (unnoted). Visited, 16th September 1910. 405. Sculptured Slone found in Broch, Lybster. —A sculptured stone, said to have been found in the broch (No. 347) near the old Chapel of St Mary’s, Lybster, in Keay, is described and illustrated in the Scidptured Stones of Scotland, and in The Early Christian Monuments of Scotland. It is of Caithness sandstone, rectangular in form, 2' 3" in height by 2' 2" in width, and is sculptured on one face with incised lines, thus:—At the top, the crescent and V-shaped sceptre symbol,and below it the horse-shoe or arch symbol, both ornamented with curved lines. The stone is said to have been presented to the King of Denmark by Sir George Sinclair, the proprietor, but it has not been traced. See Sculptured Stones of Scotland, i. p. 11, pi. xxx.; Early Christ. Mon., pt. iii. p. 30 (illus.). O.S.M., Caith., iv. 406. Sculptured Stone, Sandside .—At Sandside House there is a stone incised with symbols (pi. XXXVI.), which was found built into a stone dyke near Shurrery, not far from Tigh a’ Bheannaich, which was evidently the site of a chapel or religious foundation. It is a rectangular block of sandstone, 2' 5" in length, 9" in breadth, and 8" in thickness. On the face of the stone is incised a small stemmed circle or orb, 4" in diameter, containing an equal-armed cross. The stem is 31" in length, 1" in breadth where it joins the circle, and IV' at base. Beneath, and occupying the breadth of the stone, is a plain circle with a diameter of 8". 407. Sculptured Stone, do .—Placed against a wall at the E. side of Sandside House, and set within a wooden frame, is another sculptured slab (pi. XXXV'IL). It was found about fifty years ago, near the site of an ancient settlement on the sand links by the sea shore at Sand¬ side, and was subsequently used to cover a mill-lade where a road crossed, in which position it remained until September 1889, when it attracted the notice of Mr Pilkington, tlie proprietor of Sandside, during some repairs to the mill-lade, and who removed it for pre¬ servation to Sandside House. It is a rectangular slab of the hard sandstone of the district, 4' 8|" long by 1' Hi" wide by 3i" thick, sculptured on one face with incised lines, thus:— Front. —At the top, a symbol (unnoticed previous to the discovery of this stone), consisting of a horizontal row of three flattened ovals, joined together in the middle by pairs of small circles, and having a double outline at the tops and bottoms of the ovals; below this, the mirror-case symbol; and at the bottom, the mirror-and-comb symbol. See Early Christ. Mon., pt. iii. p. 29. O.S.M., Caith., ix. Visited, 29th August 1910. no HISTORICAI. MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Ebay. 408. Market Gross, Reay .—On the S. of the road in the hamlet of Eeay there stands a rude cross (pi. XXXIX.), the upper arm of which is awanting. In height it measures 4' 3" above ground, and in width across the arms 1' 11". The shaft, which is cylindrical, measures 2' 91" in circumference. The arms are 9" in breadth at the intersec¬ tion and diminish to 6" at their extremities. This is said to be the ]\Iarket Cross removed from Old Reay situated nearer the sea. O.S.M., Caith., X. Visited, 29th August 1910. Sites. 409. Ghapel and Graveyard, “ Greagan a' Bheannaicli .”—At the croft of Tigh a’ Bheannaicli, Sburrery, about 100 yards back from the river, is a low stony mound from which a number of large stones protrude through the turf. It is said to be the site of a graveyard, and the name of the neighbouring croft suggests the site of a primitive oratory or church. O.S.M., Caith,, xvi. Visited, 11th August 1910. 410. Ghapel, Isauld .—Among the sand dunes to the NE. of the Isauld Burn, some 300 or 400 yards back from its mouth, are the foundations of a structure which may be those of a chapel. The remains are very slight. O.S.M., Caith., x. Visited, 16th September 1910. The O.S. maps indicate sites as under :— 411. Ghapel near Graigton. 412. Do. rn. N. of Reay Ghurch. 413. "'North Gairn," Loiver Bounreay. 414. “ Reas Gairnf Do. 415. Gairn near Bridge of Brouhster. 416. Tmnulus near Do. 417. Standing-Stooes about -J- m. E. of Dpper Dounrcay. O.S.M., Caith., iv. X. iv. PARISH OF THURSO. Ecclesiastical Structures. 418. St Peter s Ghurclb, Thurso .—Situated in the old part of the town of Thurso, and adjacent to the river, are the ruins of St Peter’s Church (figs. 22, 23, and 24). It is cruciform on plan, without aisles, measuring externally some 79' from E. to W. by 82' from N. to S. across the transepts. A plan made upwards of twenty years ago by the Rev. Alexander Millar of the Free Church, Buckie, and here reproduced (fig. 22), discloses at the E. end a low vaulted apsidal cell about 19' long by 10' wide, placed in the centre line of the choir and nave, which are about 23' wide. This cell is square on the outside, and its walls measure from 3' 6" to 4' in thickness. It is lighted by two small slits about 12" wide, one in the centre and the other in the N. side, which pass straight through the wall without any check for glass. On the S. face there is an opening which may have been a door. Unfortunately the opening from the nave has been built up and access is now unobtainable. Adjoining this cell-like structure on the S. side Ancient and Historical Monuments—Caithness. ’\TE XXXVIII. *Staiidiiig-Stoue, " Clach L'lais ' an Tuii'c,’’ Aclivarasdal liuni (No 403). Flatk XXXIX. — Market Gro^s, Keav (Xo. 408). To face p. 110. I' INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. Ill Parish of Thurso. there is a curiously planned staircase tower, placed at an acute angle to the wall, so that it does not range with any limb of the cross. It measures about 14' square over the walls ; tapers very much as it rises, and has in the centre of its S. and E. faces a rounded buttress of unusual form, finished with a sloping offset 12'or so above the ground. Fi(i. 22.—St Peter’s Cliurcli, Thurso (No. 418); Ground-plan. A vaulted passage 8' long leads from the church in a slanting direction to the wheel stair. The N. and S. transepts are not in alignment with each other. The S. transept, about 19' wide, is spanned by an arch on the inside so as to continue the wall of the nave and choir after a manner found in churches dating from about the period of the Reformation. It is not unlikely that the N. transept was similarly treated. In the gables of the transepts and nave are large pointed windows, filled with 112 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Thurso. plain intersecting tracery. The porch at the re-entering angle of the nave and S. transept is a large one with stone seats, giving access to the transept by a curious zig-zag entrance, not unlike the entrance to a well-defended castle, which may be due to an alteration. There Fig. 23.— St Peter’s Church, Thurso : interior looking S. (No. 418) is another porch in the N. transept. The masonry of the church throughout is all of one class of local stone laid in thin courses, except in the lower part of the S. wall of the cell, where some courses can be seen, above the heaped up rubbish, of a distinctly different character from the rest of the building. Considered in its entirety it seems unlikely that the erection of this church belongs all to one period, and that it was originally planned as we now see it, with its transepts out of alignment with each other, with the cell at the E. end, and the eccentrically placed INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 113 Parish of Thurso. tower. One is forced to conclude from the plan that it has been evolved during a long period to meet the requirements of different ages. The apsidal cell, square on the outside, has more affinity to a structure of the 12th century, such as St Margaret’s Chapel in Eilinburgh Castle, than to a building of the 16th or 17th century, to which period the nave and transepts belong. The dedication of the Fig. 24.—St Peter’s Cluirch, Thurso : S. window from the exterior (No. 418), church to St Peter suggests an early date. It is stated that Gilbert Murray, Bishop of Caithness (d. 1245), founded a church in Thurso, which was a prebend of the Bishop of that See. The church and the churchyard are in a neglected condition. The walls of the church are practically entire, but the structure is now quite roofless and is rapidly falling into ruins. It was occupied as the Parish Church down to 1832, and early in the 18th century part of it appears to have been used as a court-house and prison. See Cad and Dom. Arch., v. p. 188 (plans and illus.) ; The Ancient Church of Scotland (’Walcott), p. 131; Macfarlane’s Geog. Coll., i. p. 170. O.S.M., Caith., v. Visited, 8th August 1910. Sej)ulch ral Monuments. 419. In the W. wall of the burying ground is a tablet carved in high relief with the date 1357 and the letters T AV and G c. The character of the lettering, however, as well as of the numerals, belongs to a much later period, probably to the 16th century. 420. Lying in the nave beside the E. wall is a flat insci’ibed slab, in part obliterated. It bears to be the tomb of Adam Davidson, Burgess of Inverness, indweller in Tburso, “quha departed in June 1587 being 66,” and of his spouse Katherine Sinclair “ quha departed -K 8 114 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Thurso. May 1597 being 70.” In the centre of the slab is a shield hearing impaled arms,—the dexter obliterated; sinister, a cross engrailed. Surmounting the shield has been the motto Vivat post funera VIRTUS. 421. On the W. side of the S. transept, close to the S. window, a slab much effaced, built into the wall, marks the burial-place of James Sinclair of Borlum, his wife Elizabeth Innes, and his eldest son. The inscriptions on both the above tombs are given at length in Henderson’s Caithness Family History, pp. 303 and 255. 422. Chapel, Brims .—About 140 yards H. of the tower of Brims are the remains of a mortuary chapel or mausoleum. It measures over all 28'X 24', with walls 3' in thickness. The entrance is from the E. end by a square-headed doorway, with a bead-and-hollow moulding on jambs and lintel. The interior is vaulted, and is lighted by a small square aperture in the W. wall. It is a structure of late date. O.S.M., Caith., iv. Visited, 8th August 1910. 423. Chapel, Thurso .—Along the Victoria Walk, and about J m. W. of Thurso, are the remains of a chapel. The gables have been reduced to the level of the side walls, the doors and windows built up, and the interior used as a burial-place. It measures over all 44' 3" X 19' 8". In the S. wall have been two round-headed windows with continuous bead-and-hollow mouldings, measuring 2' X 3' 8", and a larger window has occupied the centre of the E. gable. The building probably dates from the 17th century. O.S.M., Caith., v. Visited, 21st September 1910. Castellated and Domestic Structures. 424. Brims —This castle is situated on the top of the rocks on the W. side of the Brims Burn where it flows into the sea, and is now occupied as part of a farm-house. The keep is a small rectangular building, measuring over all 23' x 17' 6", with a tower 10' 6" square, containing a newel stair projecting northwards at the NE. angle. The entrance doorway is in this tower at the first floor level where the stair to the second floor and attic floor begins. The thickness of the walls of the keep at the basement is 4' 6". The keep or main buildiijg is two storeys in height and contains a single room on each floor. It is finished with a span roof and crow-stepped gables. At the point of junction of the stair tower with the main building on the E. is a small rounded turret supported on continuous mouldings, finished with an upper ornamented band of chequers and overlooking the position of the original entrance. The usual narrow staircase in the thickness of the wall at the SE. angle has connected the basement with the hall above, and a hatchway existed in the hall floor, measuring about 3' 6" x 2' 6", through the vaulted basement. To the northward of the tower is a small courtyard with buildings on the N. side, and a probable kitchen of later date than the keep, about 14' 6" X 8' 8", filling up the space between the tower and the keep, while a later two-storeyed building has been erected to the E. Giving access to this courtyard from the W. is a round-arched gate- INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 115 Parish of Thurso. way with continuous mouldings, much worn away on the jambs and arch. The tower probably dates from the latter half of the 16th century, from which date it was in possession of Sinclairs, cadets of the Dunbeath family. O.S.M., Caith., iv. Visited, 8th August 1910. 425. Old House, Bank Street, Thurso . — At the head of Bank Street, Thurso, stands a particularly interesting example of a late 17th century town mansion of moderate size (fig. 25). It is now rather closely sur¬ rounded by buildings and is approached from the street on the E. side, 116 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Thurso. while to the N. there is a small garden belonging to it. The house is of the L plan, measuring about 70' long by 26' 6" wide, the wing on the S. side measuring 15' x 35'. The thickness of the walls of the house is 3'. There is a slight projecting porch on the JSl. side, neatly moulded and wrought, leading to a fine scale and platt stair serving the three upper floors, the solid newel of which, so characteristic of the 17th century, has an opening opposite the staircase window to light the far off flight of steps. There is now no immediate communication between the rooms on the ground floor and those above. All the floors are arranged on a very similar plan, with five moderately sized rooms on each (see fig. 26). The house has been carefully planned and finished, all the interior doors in the thick walls having neatly moulded architraves wrought in stone, and there are mouldings round Fig.'"26. —Old House,;Bank Street,‘Thurso’fNo. 425) ; Ground-plan. the windows on the outside. On the first floor there was undoubtedly a hall alongside the stair, now occupied by a closet and narrow passage, which would give a dignity to the house it does not now possess. In the W. room on the K side there is a large fireplace about 3' in height. The lintel (fig. 27) is of one stone, about 9' in length, and 1' 9-^' in depth, with flat mouldings returned at the ends to form the jambs. In the centre is a monogram formed of the letters d.m.c. and surrounded by a wreath of foliage. To the left of the wreath is an ornate shield bearing arms :—a shake fork couped, with a star in chief; and to the right a similar shield bearing arms—three stars, and at fess point a besant (now from mutilation resembling a crescent); in dexter chief, another star for difference—the arms of Murray of Clairden to whom the house formerly belonged. At the right end are the figures 16 and at the left 79. Along the top runs the legend SEMPER FOCUS BONUS EST. Ancient and Histcndcal Monuments — Caithness. Plate XL.—Old House, Shore Street, Thurso (No. 426). To face p. 117. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 117 Parish of Thurso. The monogram and arms indicate that the house was the property of David Murray of Clairden, who married Janet, daughter of John Fig. 27. — Carved Mantelpiece in Old House, Bank Street, Thurso (No. 425). Cunningham of Brownhill and Geise. He was a person of consider¬ able note, and died in 1686. On the front wall adjoining the fireplace there is a solidly built flat buttress extending from the ground to the eaves; this seems to be intended to compensate the vacancy made in the wall by the large fireplace and its flue, as in bulk the buttress about equals the space of the fireplace. See Caithness Family History, p. 197. O.S.M., Caitii., V. Visited, 18th September 1910. 426. Old House, Shore Street, Thiorso. —On the N. side of Shore Street, Thurso, is an old 17th-century dwelling of picturesque appear¬ ance (pi. XL.). It is a two-storeyed building 57" in length, with a circular turret 6' 6" in diameter, standing out in the centre of the frontage, containing the stair that communicates with the houses on the upper floor. On the skew-put of the W. gable at the S. side are the initials d.w.k.r. and the date 1686. O.S.M., Caitii., v. Visited, 21st September 1910. 427. Carved Mantelpiece in Old House, Davidsons Entry, Thurso .— At the end of the alley which runs W. from Davidson’s Entry is an old house with its back to Bank Street. Architecturally it presents no feature of interest, but in a room on the first floor is a fine old carved mantelpiece of stone (fig. 28), dating probably from the end of the 17th or early 18th century. It is 4' in length by 1' in depth. Along the top runs an egg enrichment. In the centre of the panel beneath is a shield bearing arms:—a cross engrailed in the first canton : an eagle head erased contourne; in the second the initials g^^m ; and in 118 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. 1’arish OF Thurso. the third and fourth respectively the initials l. and s. On either side of the shield is a lion passant; while a thistle and a rose com- Fig. 28.—Carved Mantelpiece in Old House, Davidson’s Entry, Thurso (No. 427). plete the ornamentation at the respective ends of the panel. The carving is bold and spirited. 0. S.M., Caith., V. Visited, 21st September 1910. 428. Old House, Tlmrso .—To the IST.W. of St Peter’s Church is an ancient building used as a granary. It has been entirely renewed inside. On a corbel at the SW. angle are the initials ws.kp., and on one of the upper quoins at the opposite side of the gable the date June 1627. O.S.M., Caith., v. Visited, 21st September 1910. Defensive Constructions. 429. Brocii, Scrahster .—In a grass park on the N. side of the road from Thurso to Keay and about | m. W. of Scrabster House, is a grassy mound containing a broch. The mound is encircled by a ditch 32' in width and 8' to 9' in depth, with a bank, formed of the upcast, crowning the counterscarp. From the top of the scarp rises a parapet wall or rampart, now some 3' in height. The ruin, situated some 20' back from the parapet above the ditch, is entirely overgrown with grass, and measures some 73' in diameter and 4' to 5' in eleva¬ tion. The depression which marks the extent of the interior measures 32' in diameter. O.S.M., Caith., v. Visited, 8th August 1910. 430. Broch, Geise .—At the edge of a field beside the Burn of Geise, about | m. W. by S. of Geise, is a mound overgrown with grass. It appears to have been a broch, but it has been quarried into at some time and the greater part of the structure has been removed. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 119 Parish of Thurso. so that there is now no definite indication of its character. This is possibly the “ Piet’s House” referred to by Bishop Pococke in 1760. See Pococke’s Tours, p. 133. O.S.M., Caith., xi. Visited, 13th August 1910. 431. Broch, "‘Bell Mount,” Berabster. —On the top of an eminence in a grass park about \ m. NW. of Scrabster House, are the remains of a broch now of slight elevation and overgrown with turf. The diameter seems to be about 54', but no part of the structure is visible. O.S.M., Caith., v. Visited, 13th August 1910. 432. Broch, “ Thing's Va ” Scrabster. —At the edge of the moorland towards the S. end of Scrabster Hill is situated the broch of “ Thing’s Va,” which has been partially excavated. It has stood on a mound cut off from the higher level to the N. by a ditch some 30' in width, 8' in depth below the top of the scarp, and about 4' below the top of the bank above the counterscarp. The broch has occupied the centre of the mound some 18' to 20' back from the edge of the ditch. The entrance-passage has been from the SE., and appears to have been 15' in length and 3' 6" in width at the outer end. At 3' 10" inwards on either side the passage expands to 4' 3", forming checks for a door, faced with slabs set edgewise into the wall, constricting the passage-way between them to 2' 10". On the right of the passage behind the door checks there has evidently been the entrance to a guard chamber, the inner edge of which is visible, but neither passage nor chamber are cleared of debris. At 8' inwards from the first door checks are another pair of slabs, opposite to each other, set edgewise into the walls. Beyond this the left wall is concealed by a secondary wall curving round to the right into the interior of the broch, which has not been cleared out. The left wall of the passage exists to a height of about 4', and the right to about 3', and it is roofless throughout. The inner face of the main wall of the broch is exposed at several points, indicating an interior diameter of about 30'. The exterior is not laid bare. In addition to the secondary wall at the end of the passage another is visible some 9' to the left of it in the interior. The diameter of the mound across the top of the broch is about 110'. The name given to this broch is a corruption of the old Norse term “ Thing-vbllr,” meaning the site of the “ thing” or local assembly, or court of laws. 433. Broch, Scrabster. —Some 60 yards E. of Thing’s Va broch is a low grassy mound, with a diameter over all of about 70' and an elevation of about 6', which has to some extent been quarried into from the N. side. It has the appearance of a broch. O.S.M., Caith., v. Visited, 17th August 1910. 434. Broch, “ Brimsule Tulloch," Lythemore. —About h m. NNW. of Lythemore, at the upper end of a field which lies between the Forss Water and the road from Milton to Forss, are the ruins of a broch. The outer face of the wall is at several places exposed, indicating a diameter over all of some 58'. The greatest elevation is 4' to 5'. A considerable amount of stone is exposed on the surface. 120 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Thurso. but the broch does not appear to have been excavated. The situation is on an outcrop of rock with a burn flowing by the foot of it on the S. O.S.M., Caith., iv. Visited, 17th August 1910. 435. Broch, Hoy. —In the centre of the steading of Hoy farm are the remains of a broch. The close proximity of the farm-house has necessitated the demolition of the tower on one side, and elsewhere the facing stones have been in large measure removed. The diameter of the mound as it remains is some 45', and its elevation 13' to 14'. A section of the wall exposed shows it to have been 15' in thickness. About 1' below the surface on the top of the mound at the S. edge are protruding the remains of a human skeleton. The body has been laid extended E. and W. O.S.M., Caith., xi. Visited, 7th September 1910. 436. Broch, Ha’ of Duran. —Some 300 yards WNW. of Ha’ of Duran, at the edge of a burn, is a grassy mound which evidently marks the site of a broch. No part of the tower is visible, and the ruin is probably covered with the foundations of secondary buildings. The elevation of the mound is inconsiderable. O.S.M., Caith., xii. Visited, 9th September 1910. 437. Broch, “ Tulloch of Shalmstry,” Weydah. —Situated on the E. side of the road from Thurso to Georgemas, and some 300 yards SE. of Shalmstry farm, is a green mound containing the ruins of a broch. The outer face of the wall is exposed towards the S.E., and the diameter over all appears to have been some 72'. The elevation is about 7'. The entrance passage, which has been from the E., has been cleared out at its outer termination and there measures 2' 10" in width. O.S.M., Caith., xi. Visited, 7th September 1910. 438. Fort, Holborn Head. —-Across the landward end of the east- most promontory of the headland are the ruins of a broad defensive wall built of the shaley slabs that outcrop in profusion all around. In several places the outer face of the wall is exposed for a height of from 2' to 3', but for the most part it is covered with debris, or in ruins. The actual thickness of the wall is doubtful, but it appears to have been 7' or 8'. In front of this defence the neck of the promontory is cut into from either side by deep narrow chasms into which the waves break, reducing the passage-way to about 60 yards. The entrance through the wall has been opposite this passage. O.S.M., Caith., v. Visited, 13th August 1910. Sepulchral Constructions. 439. Chambered Cairn {horned, long), '"Callow Hillf Sordale Hill .— Near the SW. end of Sordale Hill, on the top of the slope which rises above the road from Thurso to Georgemas, is a horned long cairn. It occupies a conspicuous position visible on the sky line from afar off on the W. The cairn is overgrown with grass and heather, and the horns are obscured with the exception of that on the E. side of the SSE. extremity. The longest axis lies NNW. and SSE., and the INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 121 Parish of Thurso. cairn rises and expands towards the latter direction. The extreme length is some 240', the breadth at the NNW. 42', and the elevation about 5'. At the SSE. the breadth is 82' and the elevation about 10'. The main part of the cairn measures some 44' in breadth and 7' to 8' at its greatest elevation. The expanded portion at the end is about 90' in length. 'The one horn which is apparent appears to be about 25' long. There has been a considerable amount of dilapidation in rear of the expanded end and towards the NNW. extremity, which appears to have risen slightly in elevation. O.S.M., (Jaith., xi. Visited, 7th September 1910. 440. Chambered Cairn, Sordale Hill. —Some 25 yards to the S. of the last are the remains of a round chambered cairn. Its diameter at the present time is some 34' and its elevation about 3'; but as the field in which it is situated has long been under cultiva¬ tion, its dimensions have probably been considerably reduced. The entrance to the chamber has been from the WSW. At 21' inwards from the present edge a slab protrudes, which has evidently formed the back of the chamber. It is exposed for a height of 2' 8" above ground and measures 4' 5" in breadth and 1' 2" in thickness. Some 3' 7" in front of it the heads of two slabs in line and 2' 6" apart are visible, dividing the chamber. Though the chamber is ruined, there is no evidence of its having been excavated. O.S.M., Caith., xi. (“Mound”). Visited, 7th September 1910. 441. Chambered Cairn {horned, long), Sordale Hill. —On the W. side of Sordale Hill, some 400 yards N. of the long cairn (No. 439), is another. It lies N. and S. and expands and rises slightly towards the latter direction. It has an extreme length of 135'. At the N. end it measures some 34' in breadth and 3' in elevation, and at the S. 53' in breadth and 7' in elevation. Near the centre of its length it is some 40' broad and 4' 6" high. At the S. end both horns are apparent for a distance of some 20' from the cairn, but have been reduced by ploughing. At tlie N. end the horn on the E. side only is visible, and it extends for a distance of 18' from the cairn. Some 43' along the cairn, from the centre of the N. end, a slab 3' 6" broad, set on end in the direction of the main axis of the cairn, protrudes for a few inches and possibly marks the position of a chamber. 'The cairn is entirely overgrown with grass, and, though it has been considerably dilapidated, there is no indication of its having been excavated. O.S.M., Caith., xi. (“ Mound ”). Visited, 7th September 1910. 442. Chambered Cairn, “ Cnoe na Ciste’’ Sordale Hill. —On tlie top of Sordale Hill, and on the line of the boundary between the parishes of Bower and 'Thurso, is a chambered cairn. In diameter it measures 63' from N. to S. by 56' from E. to W., and in elevation about 8'. The chamber was partially excavated about fifteen years ago without any record being published, and is now in a ruined state. It entered by a passage from the SSE., is said to have been circular, and to have yielded no relics. A large erecc slab, evidently forming the back of the chamber, is visible 20' inwards from the edge. Some three years previous to the excavation there was discovered, beneath 122 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Tarish of Thurso. a large slab at the side of the passage, a flat-bottomed urn, measuring some 4^" in height, decorated in bands of chevron ornament, separated by horizontal lines. This vessel passed into the possession of Sir Francis Tress Barry, and is now in the National Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh.* The base of the cairn is marked by a setting of large boulders from 2' to 4' in length, placed on edge at irregular intervals. O.S.M., Caith., xii. Visited, 7th September 1910. Miscellaneous. 443. Font, Thurso. —In rear of the houses in Miller’s Lane, Thurso, lies an old octagonal block of freestone with a deep circular basin on the top. It measures 1' 4" in height, 2' 1" in diameter over all, and 1' 7" across the basin. The depth of the basin is 1'. There are no traces of ornament on it. This is said to be the font of St Peter’s Church. 444. Sculptured Stone, Thurso Castle. — This sculptured symbol stone, known as “ The Ulbster Stone ” (pi. XLL), at one time stood in the old burial-ground at Ulbster, from whence it was removed to its present position on the summit of a high conical mound by the side of the avenue, and some 150 yards distant from the front of Thurso Castle. The stone, which is fully illustrated and described in The Early Christian Monuments of Scotland, is of old red sandstone, approximately rectangular; measures 5' in height by 3' in width at the top, and 2' 6" at the bottom, and is 7^" thick. Sculptured partly in relief and partly with incised lines on both faces are the following details; Front —In the centre a cross with a head, having equal arms terminating in square ends, cusped hollows in the angles between the arms; a narrow shaft, and a rectangular base. In the background of the cross, and on each side of the arms, are animals, one apparently intended for a cow. On the left of the shaft two men kneeling with a cauldron (?) between them ; and below, a serpent. On the right of the shaft the flower symbol; and below, a horse and colt. The cross in the centre of the slab is entirely covered with ornament, arranged in ten separate panels filled in with the key pattern, inter¬ laced work, and four-cord plait. Bach —In the centre a plain Latin cross with four equal arms; at the top the elephant, fish, crescent, and V-shaped rod symbols, and a beast with the tail curved over its back. Below, the step, hippo-campus, and double disc symbols (the latter without the Z-shaped rod), two crescents, and a small circle. It is greatly to be regretted that the cross on one face has been mutilated by a modern inscription, “ The Ulbster Stone,” cut in Gothic letters across it. Owing to the exposed situation in which the stone at present stands, the sculpture has suffered considerably and is likely to disappear. See Early Christ. Mon., pt. iii. p. 33 (illus.). O.S.M., Caith., v. Visited, 6th August 1910. 445. Sculptured Stone, Thurso Museum. —In the museum at Thurso lies in pieces a remarkably fine sculptured stone, taken from the * Information snpjjlied by Mr A. Murray, Land Steward, Stemster. Ancient and Histoncal iMuii'iiments — Caithness. I’liATic XLI.—Sculptured Stone (back), from Ulbster (Xo. 441). To face 1‘22. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 123 Parish of Thurso. chapel at Skinnet. It is a rectangular slab of sandstone 7' 6" in length, 2' 2" in width, and 7" in thickness, and is sculptured partly in relief and partly with incised lines on four faces, thus: Front — A cross in relief in the centre of the slab, having four equal arms with expanded ends and small round hollows in the angles; a long, narrow shaft, and a rectangular base. In the background, round the head of the cross, four circular bosses or medallions; on each side of the shaft a serpentine creature, and below the base a pair of stepping horses, evidently yoked together. The ornamentation consists of spiral work, interlaced work, plait work, and loops. Back —A cross in the centre of the slab, having a head with square ends and rectangular hollows between the arms : a long, narrow shaft, and a rectangular base, the outline being formed by a band, making a loop at each corner. Though much defaced, the cross had apparently been filled in with interlaced and spiral work. Below the cross is the triple oval symbol similar to that on the Sandside and Keiss stones (Nos. 407 and 577), and at the bottom of all, the crescent and V-shaped sceptre symbol, both symbols being decorated with spiral work in relief. Right side —Divided into three panels, one containing an eight-cord plait, another inter¬ laced work almost obliterated, and the third being defaced. Left side —Defaced. This stone was discovered by Mr T. S. Muir in 1861, and the circumstances of its discovery and the state in which it then was, are narrated in his Fcclesiological Notes quoted below. It was subsequently removed to Thurso Museum. See Muir’s Fccles. Notes, p. 105 (illus.); Early Christ. Mon., pt. iii. p. 30 (illus.). 446. Cross {rune-inscrihed), Thurso Museum. —In the museum at Thurso is a cross roughly hewn out of a slab of Caithness flagstone bearing on its sliaft an inscription in Scandi¬ navian runes (fig. 29). It was found when some old buildings were taken down near the E. end of St Peter’s Church, Thurso, in 1896. At a depth of some 5' from ordinary level were found in the course of excavation two cists containing human skeletons. On the top of the larger cist, which contained the remains of an adult buried in a contracted position, lay the cross slab. Its whole length is 2' 9". The shaft measures 2' li" in length by 6^" in breadth at the lower end, tapering slightly to 51" at the intersection of the arms. The cross head measures 8" across, the projection of the arms being less than 2", and their vertical width at the ends 47". The Fig. 29. — Cross (ruiie-iii- scribed) found near St Peter’s Church, Thurso (No. 446). Scale, J linear. summit is partially broken away, so that it only rises li" above 124 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Thurso. the arms and shows a breadth of 4|". The thickness of the slab throughout is I P'. Tlie inscription, which is somewhat irregularly cut along one side of the obverse in letters varying from 3" to 4" in height, reads from tlie base upwards (the lower part of the shaft containing its com¬ mencement is awanting), and has been interpreted —(GE)RTHI UBIRLAK THITA AFT IKULB FOTHUR SIN —made overlay this after Ingulf father his Antiquaries, x.xxi. p. 293 (illus.); Uarly Christ. J/ow., pt. iii. p. 36 (illus.). O.S.M., Caith.. v. Visited, 21st September 1910. 447. Moimcl,^ Torran DubhC —About 1 m. SE. of Mains of Brims, on the E. side of the farm road, and some 150 yards SE. of the neighbouring farm-steading, is a grassy mound which is probably a cairn. Its longest axis is NW. and SE. and it measures seme 93'X 477 The elevation of it is about 57 It is overgrown with o vegetation and has been under cultivation. O.S.M., Caith., iv. (“Brough ”). Visited, 8th August 1910. 448. Mound, “ Hossy Hillock” Murkle. —About I m. NW. of West Murkle farm-house, at the corner of a field, is a mound which bears the name of “ Bossy Hillock.” It probably covers the ruins of a broch, but it has been long under cultivation and its dimensions are now quite indefinite. O.S.M., Caith., v. (“ Cairn”). Visited, 20th August 1910. Sites. 449. Bishop’s Castle or Scrahster Castle, Thurso. —On a low pro¬ montory rock rising from the shore about | m. to the NW. of Thurso, are the fragmentary ruins of the Castle of the Bishops of Caithness. The ruins of a wall at the edge of the rock and the foundations of one or two buildings which have surrounded the courtyard are all that remains. A small triangular-headed window enriched with dog-tooth ornament, taken from the ruins, is built into an outbuilding at Scrabster House. The earliest record of the castle seems to be under date 1328, when Sir Bobert of Peblis’ chamberlain claimed in his account the sum of £3, 2s. 4d. as paid for keeping the castle of Scraboster during the vacancy of the See. In 1455 William, Bishop of Caithness, granted to his brother Gilbert Mudy, the keeping of the castle of Scrabestoun and of the surrounding lands confirmed by James III. in 1478. About the year 1544, during the banishment of the bishop and the temporary appointment of Alexander Gordon to the bishopric, the castle was seized by the Earl of Caithness. In 1557 Bishop Bobert, on the narrative of numerous benefits received from John, Earl of Sutherland, appointed that nobleman and his heirs hereditary constables of the Castle of Scrabster, “ situated among the wild and uncivilised Scots, and in a wintry region.” In 1726 it was described as being wholly in ruins. An old roadway cut in the face of the bank between the ruins INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 125 Parish of Thurso. of the Bishop’s Castle and the burn at Scrabster House is known as the Bishop’s Walk. See Oriymes, ii., pt. ii. pp. Gil and 754; Macfarlane’s Geog. Coll. i. p. 172 ; Forbes’ Journals, p. 198. O.S.M., Caith., V. Visited, 13th August 1910. 450. Const'}’loot ion, Ushat Head. —At the edge of the bank above the rocks about I m. E. of Mains of Brims, there are exposed the remains of what appears to be an early structure. The plan is indefinite, but the surface mounds suggest an oblong building with rounded ends. O.S.M., Caith., iv. (unnoted). Visited, 8th August 1910. 451. Fo)’tiJied Site, JFest Muvhle. —Just opposite the termination of the farm road which leads past West Murkle farm is a small promontory across the landward end of which is a wall or rampart measuring some 8' to 10' in thickness, 8' in height from the landward side, and 6' to seaward. The end and sides of the promontory are much eroded and there is no trace of the structure, if any, which formerly existed in rear of the defence. O.S.M., Caith., vi. (“Brough”). Visited, 20th August 1910. 452. Cairn, Hojjefield. —Of the cairn at Hopefield indicated on the the O.S. map there is now hardly a trace, as a road has been cut through the middle of it. O.S.M., Caith., v. Visited, 17th August 1910. 453. Mound, “ Cnoc an Taillir.” —The O.S. map indicates a small mound bearing the name of “ Cnoc an Taillir,” on the N. end of Sordale Hill, in an angle of the moorland adjoining the cultivated land, about ^ m. NW. of the cairn “ Cnoc na Ciste” (No. 442), near the summit of the hill. O.S.M., Caith., xii. 454. Wall {remains). Brims. —About 1-j^ rn. E. of Mains of Brims is a long promontory rock lying parallel with the shore cliffs and separated from them by a deep and narrow geo. liunning along the edge of the rocks above this geo are the remains of a wall, but on the promontory in rear of it there is no sign of any structure visible. O.S.M.,- Caith , v. (“Brough”). Visited, 8th August 1910. 455. B'i’och, Oast. —In the stackyard of the steading at Oust are two small excavations which have probably been the well and cellar of a broch. The westmost of the two, which appears to have been a cellar or store, is roughly rectangular, about 5' square, having the lower part cut out of the solid rock and finished above with a con¬ verging roof covered with slabs. The greatest height is 5' 4" above the present floor level. It is reached by a steep flight of fourteen steps cut out of the rock, measuring 6" in breadth of tread. The stairway is 2' wide. The vertical height from the present floor level to the level of the top step is 8' 6" and to the ground 11' 3". Some 5' distant is the other excavation, entered from the opposite direction. It is a mere shaft, measuring about 2' square, down one side of which are seven steps or shelves formed of thin flags built into the wall. 2() HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Thurso. directly one above the other, with a clear space between. The shaft at the bottom curves slightly to the right, and measures 4' x 2'. The lower portion is entirely cut out of the rock. The depth from the level of the original building to the lowest exposed floor level is 9' 2". O.S.iM., Caith., xi. (“ Broughs”). Visited, 17th August 1910. The O.S. maps indicate sites as under—: 456. Castle of Haimer, Haimer. O.S.M., Caith., v. 457. Ormclie Castle, Thurso. „ ,, „ 458. Bishop’s Bridge, near Thurso Castle. „ ,, „ PAEISH OF WATTEN. Ecclesiastical Structures. 459. Chapel (in ruins), Old Hall of Dunn.—-A\) 0 \xt m. S. by W. of Old Hall farm-house, within a graveyard, are the ruins of an old church. It measures interiorly 48' x 18', has its entrance door in the E. end, and two elliptical arched windows in the S. wall. It appears to be a building of late date. Beneath the W. half of the church is a burial vault which may belong to an earlier structure. O.S.M., Caith., xviii. Visited, 25th May 1910. 460. Chapel (remains of), The Clow. —At a spot known as The Clow, where the Scouthal Burn makes a sharp turn tow,ards the E. from its northward course at the upper end of the Scouthal wood, are the fragmentary remains of a chapel. It appears to have consisted of a chancel and nave, the former measuring interiorly 14'x 10', and the latter 26' or 27'x 16'. The walls have been some 4' in thickness. A faced opening through the E. wall of the chancel near the N. side seems to indicate an entrance’ while a depression in the mound covering the S. wall of the nave near its W. end probably marks the doorway into that portion of the church. The base of the wall separating the two areas has been some 4' 6" in thickness. The walls appear to have been built without mortar. The wall of the nave in places on the interior is visible for some 3' in height, otherwise it is overgrown with turf. To the W. of the ruin is an old enclosure and several foundations of old rectangular buildings around it. It is stated to have been ruinous in 1726, when it was used as the burial-place only of strangers and unbaptised children. See Macfarlane’s Geog. Coll., i. p. 180. O.S M., Caith., xxiii. Visited, 27th May 1910. Defensive Constructions. 461. Broch, Old Hall of Some 200 yards S. of Old Hall is a grass-covered stony mound, probably covering the ruins of a broch. A few flat stones are visible on the surface, but there is no accurate indication either of the extent of the ruin or of its character. The mound at highest has an elevation of some 4'. The situation of the mound is on the top of a high bank above a burn, and for a distance of some 30' there remains a low segmental rampart along INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 127 Parish of Watten. the edge of this bank. The diameter across the centre of the mound from the top of the rampart is 58'. 462. Brocli, “ Cairn of Dunn” Old Hall of Dunn. —Across a glen from the last mentioned broch, and some 350 yards SE. of Old Hall, is another round stony mound, probably a broch. It is situated in a cultivated field, commanding an extensive prospect, and has been frequently ploughed over. The surface is strewn with fragments of slaty stone, but no structure is visible. The diameter of the mound is about 100', and its elevation some 3'. 463. Broch, Old Hall of Dunn. —Some 500 yards N. of Old Hall, on the N. side of the public road near the edge of a cultivated field, is a large grass-covered mound which probably contains the remains of a broch. No part of the structure is visible, but a circular depression on the summit near the N. end may indicate the interior court. The surface of the field is lowest on the W., and from that direction the mound has an elevation of about 11'. From the N. the greatest height is some 8'. O.S.M., Caith., xviii. Visited, 25th May 1910. 464. Broch, Green Hill, Wester Watten. — A grass-covered knoll im¬ mediately to the W. of Wester Watten House conceals the remains of a broch. The only part of the structure visible is the entrance passage facing the S., which has been partially cleared out. The total length of passage wall exposed is 31' on the left, and 29' on the right. The inner end is not exposed, but where last visible the left wall is curv¬ ing to the right. At 8' in from the exterior on the left side and 8' 6" on the right, are door checks formed by slabs. No bar holes appear behind them. The passage outside the checks measures 2' 6" in width, and immediately in rear of them 5'. It thereafter again contracts, and at 14' from the outside, where the first lintel is met, it is 2' 8". At 18' 6" from the outside on the right is the entrance to a guard chamber. The entrance is 2' 6" wide, and the chamber and passage to it are almost filled with debris. At 4' inwards in the main passage from the inner side of the entrance to the guard cliamber is another door check, projecting 6" into the passage, but the corresponding check on the opposite wall is not exposed. The lintels cover the passage for a distance of 7' 6". The diameter of the mound along the line of the passage is some 92', and at right angles to that direction 86'; its elevation is from 9' to 10'. O.S.M., Caith., xviii. Visited, 25th^May 1910. 465. Broch (supposed), Banhs of Watten. —On thejmoor about I m. WSW. of Banks of Watten at the M . end of a low ridge is a grassy mound. The number of flattish stones exposed over its surface suggest that it covers the ruins of a broch. The outline of the remains apart from the natural level of the ridge is so indefinite that dimensions are unobtainable. O.S.M., Caith., xviii. (“Cairn of Achoy”). Visited, 27th ]\Iay 1910. 466. Broch, “Bail a' Chairn,” Acharole. — About 2 m. up the Burn of Acharole from Watten and near Acharole are the conspicuous remains of a broch. From the moorland there rises a grassy hillock 128 HISTOEICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Pakish of Watten. (pi. XLll.) on the sides and summit of which much shaley stone has been exposed. The mound is somewhat oval on plan, with its longest axis E. and W. At an elevation of some 8' or 9' on the N. and S. sides, and gradually diminishing to 2' or 3' at the E. and W. ends, is a terrace, or glacis, some 12' to 14' in width. Along the outer edge of this terrace on the IST. are visible the remains of a wall or stony rampart now some 8' to 10' broad at base. The upper portion of the hillock, which contains the ruins of the broch, measures in diameter from E. to W. about 108' and from N. to S. about 78', Its elevation from the level of the terrace at the E. and \V. ends is some 14', and from the N. and S. about 9' 6". The lower part of the hillock as well as the upper is to some extent artificial. ; 1 1 S c 1 1 1 1 ' A ^ r 1 1 11 dll Fio. 80.—Broch, “Bail a’Chaim,” Acharole (No. 466); Ground-plan. This broch was almost completely excavated in 1904 by the late Sir Francis Tress Barry. . A plan made during the course of the excavation is here reproduced. The entrance to the broch was on the E. side. Outside the main building it passed through what appeared to be an outer casing wall for a distance of some 22', and was provided with a door at 5', and probably also with another at 14', from the outside. On the right-hand side, some 5' in from the outer door, was a guard chamber. The width of this portion of the entrance was at its outer end 2', and where it joined the main wall about 4'. The passage through the main wall was some 14' in length and some 3' in width at its commencement. At 11' inwards from the outer face was a rebate for a door, beyond which the passage expanded to about 4' in width. The covering slabs remained in situ over the greater part of the main passage, which measured some 5' 6" in height. The interior diameter of the broch was about 30'. At 25', measured direct, from the inner end of the entrance passage Ancimt and Historical Monuments — Caithness. To face p. 128 INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 129 Parish of Watten. on the left, was an entrance 2' above floor level, measuring some 2' in width, 4' 6" in height, and 5' in length, leading to the stair, which rose to the right and was visible for a distance of some 25', with a width of about 3'. At the foot of the stair was a long chamber some 33' in length, finished with a rounded end. 'I'he entrance to the stair and part of the guard chamber still retained their roofs of flagstones. Some 5' to the E. of the entrance to the stair was a small built aperture about 11' wide by 4' in height, placed high in the wall, giving light to the long chamber within. Between it and the stair entrance was a small recess or ambry, while another recess of larger dimensions was situated some 8' above the ground, about 9' to the left of the main entrance. Measured direct, some 15' from the right of the inner end of the entrance was a passage some 2' wide and 5' long leading to another stair, also rising to the right. In the interior court to the left of the entrance was a rectangular setting of flags erected against the wall, and from the floor other three flags projected respectively on either side and across the front of the door¬ way, the latter some 3' back from it. The greatest height of wall exposed in the interior was 10'. The broch was filled in by order of the proprietor before its excavation was completed. O.S.M., Caith., xxiii. Visited, 27th May 1910. 467. Broch, “ Cam a’ Chladda,” Scouthal .—On the W. side of the ‘road to Acharole, from Watten, about ^ m. beyond Scouthal, is a grassy hillock. 'I'he character of the stones disclosed about its surface points to its being a broch. It measures some 70' in diameter and some 10' in elevation. O.S.M., Caith., xxiii. Visited, 27th May 1910. 468. Broch, Watten .—In a grass park on the edge of a bank above the Strath Burn, and about ^ m. S. by W. of Watten village, are the remains of a broch beneath a grass-covered knoll. 'The base of the building is exposed at one or two places showing that the diameter over all was 64'. On the SE. for a distance of about 8' a small portion of wall is exposed to a height of some 2', evidently the inner wall face of a chamber. The mound is about 8' high. On the S. several very large bouldeis in line project a foot or two above the turf at a distance of 22' from the base of the broch, indicating the remains of an outer wall. O.S.M., Caith., xviii. (“ iNIound”). Visited, 27th May 1910. 469. Broch, Coyle, or Coyhill .—The remains of this broch are situated in the stackyard to the E. of Coghill farm-house, and are now only recognisable as a low mound with an elevation of some 2' overgrown with vegetation. The ruin was excavated by Dr Anstruther Davidson in 1905, and a number of relics were found in it. 'These consist of bones, shells, deer-horn, remains of three vessels of un¬ ornamented pottery, numerous stone pounders, rubbing stones, thin discs of shale, and a fine bone pin, etc. Querns are represented by remains of the saddle variety only. 'Ihe relics are preserved at the school-house at Gersa and in the farm-house. A plan made at the time of the excavation by ]\Ir John Nicolson, Nybster, and here reproduced (fig. 31), shows the following 9 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. ISO rARlSII OE WaTTEN. particulars : — The broch was entered from the W. by a passage going direct through the wall some 17'in length. For 13' inwards it maintained a uniform width of about 2' 6". At that point a rebate formed checks for a door and tlie passage expanded to 4', contracting again sliglitly at its inner extremity. Behind the door check on the left of the passage was found iu situ a hollowed stone in which the pivot of the door had worked. The interior court measured some 29' in diameter. On the left, 19' 6" distant, measured direct from the inner end of the entrance passage, an opening in the wall some 3' wide led to the staircase at 6' in from the inner face of the wall. The stair, as usual, rose to the right. At the foot of it was a chamber ^ T ^-1-T' Fig 31.—Broch, Coghill (Oogle) (No. 469); Ground-plan. some 16' 6" in length, 4' wide at its commencement, expanding inwards to a width of 7'. Across the interior of the broch was built at about 5' out from the inner end of the entrance passage, a semi¬ circular wall having its convex face towards the entrance. This wall was some 2' 6" in thickness and stood to a height of 3'. At either end it projected outward at right angles for a distance of some 4'. Against it at the S. end within the semicircle was a hearth, marked off by stones, some 3' square. On either side of the main entrance in the interior, a single flagstone some 6" in height projected from the wall, and some 7' to the left was another pair of stones, 2' high, similarly placed and 3' apart. To the outside of the main entrance to the broch there were indications of an outer casing wall through which the passage led. O.S.M., Caith., xix. (unnoted). Visited, 30th May 1910. 470. Broch, Scottag .—Close to the road to the SE. of Scottag farm-house is a low mound overgrown with grass and surmounted with a modern cairn. Its elevation of some 5' above the level of INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 131 Parish of Watten. the field appears to have been considerably reduced by the removal of stones. The flat stones exposed about its surface show it to be the remains of a broch. The O.S. map records that a stone cist containing human remains and bronze ornaments was found here in 1870. O.S.M., Caith., xix. (“Cairn”). Visited, 30th May 1910. 471. Broch, “ Grey Cairn” Lyneyar. —In a grass field about ^ in. SSE. of Lynegar House, and some 100 yards N. of Loch Watten, is a grassy mound which has been under cultivation. The diameter of the mound is some 79', and its greatest elevation about 5'. From the character of the stones exposed there is no doubt that this is a broch. O.S.M., Caith., xviii. (“ Mound”). Visited, 1st June 1910. 472. Broch, Gearsay. —Situated in an arable field some 250 yards E. of Gersay farm, is a grass-covered mound surmounted by a small modern cairn of flat stones. There are no stones visible on the surface to indicate the character of the mound, but from those of which the cairn is built it is presumably a broch. The extent is quite indefinite: the greatest elevation some 6'. From the E. side a considerable amount of the mound has been removed. O.S.M , Caith., xix. (“ Gearsay Cairn ”). Visited, 1st June 1910. 473. Broch, Acliinga.le. —On the top of the right bank of the Strath Burn, just below the farm of Achingale, are the remains of a mound, which was opened in 1841 and found to contain the ruins of a broch. Only a small segment now exists: the rest has been removed. The O.S. map notes the finding of a deer-horn comb and a stone cist containing human remains. See Antiquaries, ix. p. 183. O.S.M., Caith., xviii. Visited, 4th June 1910. 474 Broch, Spital. —To the ENE. of Spital quarries, and some 250 yards E. of Spital farm, in the centre of an arable field, is a grassy mound evidently covering the ruins of a broch. It measures some 80' in diameter, and some 6' to 7' in elevation. The top shows a depression about 34' in diameter and 4' to 5' in depth (O.S. “ Mound”). 475. Broch, Knockylass. —About 150 yards to the ENE. of Knock- glass farm-house, rising from an arable field, is a conical grass-covered mound containing the ruins of a broch. It measures in diameter some 120' from E. to W. and some 95' from N. to S. ,and in elevation some 12' to 13'. It has been broken into for a short distance on the NE. (O.S. “Mound ”). O.S.M., Caith., xviii. Visited, 16th June 1910. Hut Circles. 476. Hut Circles, Flex Hill. —At the N. end of Flex Hill, some | m. S. of Strath farm-house, close to the wire fence which runs westward across the moor from the Carnster Load, is a group of hut circles. The furthest up the slope of the hill, about 100 yards distant from 1S2 HISTOI^ICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Watten. the road, is circular, measuring some 20' in diameter interiorly. The bank is now quite low, and its breadth too indefinite for measurement. The door has been dug out, so that its level is 3' below that of the natural level on the upper side and 1^' to 2' on the lower. The position of the entrance is not evident. The second circle, which is situated some 80' W. of the first, has an interior diameter of from 18' to 20', and an entrance seemingly from the SW. The bank appears to be some 8' to 10' in thickness, but it is not accurately measurable. The interior has also been dug out, but not so deeply as in the circle last described. Some 20' to the NW. of the second lies a third circle. The interior diameter is about 21', and the entrance from the SW. The bank measures in thickness about 11', and around the lower side it is still a foot or two in height. The interior has also been dug out, and its level is from 2' 6" to 3' below that of the hill slope on the upper side. Some 30 yards N. of the last is yet another, which has been partially destroyed by the formation of a sheep drain across the lower end of it. The diameter of the interior is some 9' across and 11' towards the entrance, which has been from the SW. The entrance appears to have been vex’y wide. The section exposed by the cutting of the drain shows that the bank is formed of earth or peat and small stones. Some yards to the N. of the hut circles adjacent to the wire fence, and some 50 yards NNE. of the remains of a large cairn (No. 489), is another hut circle. The bank is entirely overgrown and much spread, and measures some 12' in breadth at base. The entrance has been from WSW., now of indefinite width, and the interior diameter some 24'. O.S.M., Caith., xxiv. (“ Cairns”). Visited, 30th June 1910. Sepulchral Constructions. 477. “ Toddy Hillock,” Aukcngill Bridge. —In a field some 300 yards SE. of Aukengill Bridge is a low oval cairn lying with its longest axis E. and W. and measuring some 22' x 17'. Its greatest elevation is only ly. Being largely overgrown with turf little is visible, and it is probably only a fragment of the original construc¬ tion. It bears the name of “ Toddy Hillock.” O.S.M., Caith., xviii. Visited, 1st June 1910. 478. Chambered Cairn, “ Oslie Cairn,” Lynegar. —Some 350 yards S. by W. of Lynegar House, and about 100 yards N. of the shore of Loch Watten, is a grass-covered hillock which seems to be a chambered cairn. On the summit, just protruding through the soil is the edge of a large slab lying NNW. and SSE., measuring about 6' 5" in length and 9" or 10" in thickness, while parallel to its ENE. face at eitlier end and 2' to 3' distant are two shorter slabs about 1' 9" in length. The outline of the mound is very indefinite, but the diameter appears to be from 50' to 60'. O.S.M., Caith., xviii. (“ Brough ”). Visited, 1st June 1910. 479. Cairn (supposed), Lynegar. —In a grass park on the N. side of the road to Wick, and some 500 yards ENE of Lynegar House, is INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 138 Parish of Watten. a grass-covered mound with a diameter of 93' from N. to S. and 99' from E. to W., with an elevation of from 5' to 6'. There are no definite indications on the surface of the chai'acter of the con¬ struction, but such stones as are visible are suggestive rather of a cairn than of a broch. O.S.M., Caith., xviii. (“Mound”). Visited, 1st June 1910. 480. Cairn, Scoicthal. —On the summit of a ridge running parallel on the W. with the Scouthal Burn, at the NE. extremity of Scouthal wood, and some 400 yards SW. of the shepherd’s cottage, is a grass- covered cairn. In diameter it measures some 30' to 32'. and in elevation 3' 6" to 4'. It was opened by Sir Francis Tress Barry, but no cist or sign of interment was found. O.S.M., Caith., xxiii. Visited, 27th May 1910. 481. Cairns {supposed), The Craigan, Strath —On the top of a high bank on the E. of the Strath Burn, and about I iR- SW. of Strath, is a heap of stones which appears to be a cairn much dilapidated, and now with an elevation of only from 1' to 2'. It lies with its longest axis N. and S., is about 70' in length and 16' in width. Thei’e is no sign of either chamber or cist. A few feet to the W. of it at its N. end is a small circular cairn of about 9' diaiueter and 1' elevation. Some 80' to the S. on a level terrace at a bend in the burn is another long heap of stones similar to that above noticed. It lies with its longest axis E. and W. and measures some 40' x 16'. The elevation of this construction is also trilling. There is no sign of either chamber or cist. O.S.M., Caith., xxiv. Visited, 4th June 1910. 482. Cairn {supiiosed), “ Callow HillochC Backlass. —About | m. to the S. of Houstry of Dunn farm buildings, on an enclosed track of waste land, is a mound which bears the name of the “ Gallow Hillock.” It is entirely overgrown with turf, but the boulders which protrude from it suggest that it is possibly a cairn. It is some 85' in length, lying with its main axis SE. and NW. At the SE. end it measures 21' across, and, gradually expanding, measures at the ISIAV. 42'. Its greatest elevation is about 3' O.S.M., Caith., xviii. Visited, 25th May 1910. 483. Stone Circle, Old Hall of Dunn. —On the S. end of a low ridge, about 100 yards N. of Old Hall farm-house, is a single standing- stone 4' 4" high above ground, 3' 3" in breadth, and 1' 5" in thickness. It faces N. and S. This is said to have formed part of a stone circle. O.S.M., Caith., xviii. Visited, 25th May 1910. 484. Stone Circle {remains of), Acharole .—About | m. W. of the broch of “ Bail a’ Chairn” (No. 466) is a standing-stone. It is a large boulder, oblong in transverse section, some 4' 10" in height, 13' in cir¬ cumference, and 4' in longest diameter. At 21' 3" to the W. of it lies displaced another block, measuring 6' in length, 2' 8" in breadth, and 1' 9" in depth. Both stones have probably been members of a stone circle. In a mound near by, opened for gr-avel in August 1904, there was 134 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Watten. found a cist containing an unbnrnt burial and an urn, which is pre¬ served in the National Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh. The urn is a fine example of the low-brimmed variety of the “ beaker ” or “ drinking cup ” type, measuring in height by 5-^" in diameter across the mouth, and 3" in diameter at the base. Its thickness is not more than throughout, and its ornamentation is linear in character. See Antiquaries, xxxix. p. 418 (illus.). O.S.M., Caith., xxiii. (“Standing-Stone”). Visited, 27th May 1910. Miscellaneous. 485. Standing-Stone, Watten. —In a field to the W. of Greystones, some 40 yards N. of the high road, is a single standing-stone. It is a pointed boulder 4' 9" in height above ground, roughly quadrangular, measuring 3' x 2' 2". Another stone is recorded as having stood adjacent to it. See Antiquaries, ix. p. 183. O.S.M., Caith., xviii. Visited, 9th June 1910. 486. Standing-Stone, Halsary. —Some m. S. of Mybster Inn, and about 100 yards E. of the road to Lybster, is a large grey schistose slab, now split vertically into three portions, and facing N. by W. and S. by E. It measures 4' 7" in height, 3' 6" in breadth near the upper end, and 2' 9" at base. It has been about V 5" in thickness. 487. Standing-Stone, do. —About m, S. of the last the O.S. map marks another standing-stone. On the spot are two stones, either or neither of which may be a standing-stone. That nearest the road is a round pillar measuring about 1' 6" in diameter, and protruding about 1' above ground, and visible for other 10" below the ground level. The second stone is lying almost horizontally some 35' to the E. It is 3' 10" in length, 2' 11" in breadth, and 4" in thickness. O.S.M., Caith., xxiii. Visited, 16th June 1910. 488. Mound, Watten. —On a piece of moorland about | m. N. by AV. of Watten manse, is a grassy mound which has been evidently removed to a considerable extent. Near the centre is a partial circle of boulders some 14" to 18" in length, and protruding to about the same extent above the turf. The diameter of the interior is 12',’and there appears to have been an entrance from the S. The character of this construction is not obvious. O.S.M., Caith., xviii. (unnoted). Visited, 1st June 1910. Sites. 489. Cairn, “ Cam Liath’’ Flex Hill. —At the N. end of Flex Hill, about | m. S. of Strath farm-house, and some 100 yards E. of the road, is the site of a large cairn which has measured some 66' in diameter. O.S.M., Caith., xxiv. Visited, 30th June 1910. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 135 Parish of Watten. The O.S. map indicates sites as under.— 490. St Catherine’s Munasterij, near Watten Manse. U.S.M., Caith., xix. 491. St Catherine’s Nunnery, near Watten Manse. „ 492. Cairn, Bylbster. „ „ The O.S. map records that a stone cist containing an uni, human remains, and a bronze ornament, was found at this cairn. PARISH OF WICK. Ecclesiastical Structures. 493. Sinelair Aisle, Wick .—Tliis is an uninteresting fragment of the old church of St Fergus, with unseemly modern crenellations along the wall heads, situated in the graveyard adjoining the parish church. It is said to have been built by George, fourth Earl of Caithness, who died in 1583. The New Statistical Account states that there is in the aisle a stone commemorating John, Master of Caithness, who was cruelly done to death in the dungeon of Girnigoe in 1576.” This slab was not observed. Recumbent Rijiyy .—‘Within lies the recumbent ecclesiastical effigy long known in Wick as a statue of St Fergus the patron saint, which, after reposing in the towm jail and subsequently doing duty as a statue set upright in a garden plot by the Town Buildings, has finally here found a resting-place. The figure dates from the end of the 15th or early part of the 16th century. It is represented as habited in a long, loose, cassock-like garment with narrow loose sleeves. The head is tonsured, and round it the hair is fairly long. The hands are clasped in prayer. On the breast lies a cross with notched ends to the arms; and small round bosses, evidently representing jewels, are shown on the arms of the cross and on a lozenge-shaped addition at the intersection. The face has been re-dressed. The feet rest on a couchant or dormant lion. The extreme length of the effigy is 5' 1". It is referred to in the description of the parish, dated 1726, published in Macfarlane’s Geoyraphic.al Collections, as follows:— “ There is the E. end of it (the church of St Fergus) on the N. side under a little pend, a hewn stone with a man at full length on it, which is said to be his (St Fergus’) effigies engraven on stone.” Sepulchral Monuments. Against the E wall is placed erect a memorial slab 5' 9" long by 2' 7" broad, having in the centre a heraldic shield bearing impaled arms, viz.:—Dexter, A cross engrailed: Sinister, Three boars’ heads couped between initials M. l. s. and l. C. Around and across the slab runs the following inscription:— HEIR LYIS ANE HONORABIL WOMAN JEAN CHISHOLM SPOUS TO M. JOHNE SINCLAIR OF ULBSTER WHA DEPARTED YIS LYIF THE 23 NOVEMBER 1614. 186 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLANO) COMMISSION. Parish of Wick. Beneath the shield is inscribed— DECIPLMUR VOTIS ET TEMPORE FALLIMUR ET MORS OERIDET CURAS ANXIA VITA NIHIL with a skull and single bone surmounted with the “Memento Mori” legend. This John Sinclair and liis wife are evidently the couple commemorated on the heraldic stone above the mantelpiece of the farm-house at Ulbster. Adjoining is a similar memorial slab, now, however, illegible, to another member of the Ulbster family. See Macfarlane’s Gcog. Coll., i. p. 158; Antiquaries, xliv. p. 369 (illus.), New Stat. Acet. Suih., etc., xv. p. 142. O.S.M., Caith., XXV. Visited, 12th July 1910. Castellated and Domestic Structures. 494. Ackergill Tower .—Northwards from Wick some 2-^ m., and within a mile of the wild, sea-environed site of Girnigoe Castle, stands the tower of Ackergill (pi. XLIIT.). In perfect contrast to Girnigoe, it is situated on level ground which slopes gently towards the sea. The tower, which is still inhabited, was, some sixty years ago, altered by the enlargement of windows and doors, and the renewal of the cope house and battlements on the top storey, and it has also been added to. It is a square building measuring about 48'x34', and is five storeys high. The present entrance is in the centre of the N.W. side, through a wall originally 9' thick, giving access to a vaulted basement 9' high and probably used as a kitchen. The original stair to the first floor has been removed. The hall on the first door measures 28'xl8', and is 23' high to the roof, which is also vaulted, and from it a stair leads to a gallery midway in the height of the hall. Entering from the hall at the N. corner, diagonally opposite to the top of the stair from the ground floor, a wheel-stair leads to the upper floors. These floors are divided into two rooms, and in the thickness of their NW. and SE. walls there are arched passages and closets of from 4' to 5'in width. From the third floor upwards in the N. angle the wheel-stair is continued leading to the upper floor and battlements. In the entrance-hall is a built well 25' deep and still containing water. The tower, having no strength in its situation, was doubtless surrounded by walls and ditches, but all traces of these have long since disappeared. SW. of the tower there are two dove-cots of 18th-century date with lean-to roofs. The actual date of the erection of the tower is unknown, but it was probably at the close of the 15th or commencement of the 16th century. The property on which it was situated belonged to the Keiths of Inverugie, who acquired it by the marriage of John Keith with Marion, one of the two daughters and heiresses of Eannald or Reginald Cheyne, in 1354. The earliest mention of the tower occurs in a Notarial Instru¬ ment in August 1510, in which Gilbert Mowat of Brabister Myir is mentioned as captain of the house of Akergill.'^ On 30th June 1538 William, Earl Marshall, and Margaret Keith his spouse, received a Crown Charter of the lands and tower of Akergill, following on the Ancient and Historical Monuments- Caithness. (’late XLllI.—Ackergill Tower (No. 494). To face p. 136. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 137 Parish of Wick. resignation of Elizabeth Keith, sister of Margaret, and with her co-heiress of William Keith of Inverugie.^ Queen Mary, in 1547, granted a remission to George, Earl of Caithness, and numerous dependants for treasonably taking and holding the castle, and for taking Alexander Keith the captain and John Skarlet his servitor, and detaining them against their will in the place of Girnigoe, in Brawall, and in other places.^ In 1592-93 a complaint was made to the Privy Council by George, Earl Marshall, and Lord Altree his uncle, that Mr Robert Keith, the Earl’s brother, had taken his house of Akergill with the intention of molesting the neighbourhood, with the result that Keith was pronounced a rebel.'^ The Earl Marshall evidently did not make the tower a residence. In 1598 the Earl again laid a complaint before the Lords that John Keith in Subster and his two sons, with other persons, came by night “ and ledderit the walls of his place of Akirgill,” and entered and spoiled the castle, wounded his servants, and “now keeps the place.”® In the expedition of Sir Robert Gordon in 1623 against George, Earl of Caithness, the tower, which had been strengthened and pro¬ visioned l)y the Earl, was at once surrendered.® Gordon of Straloch, writing between 1608 and 1661, mentions the tower as having passed into possession of the Earls of Caithness, and as being neglected owing to its proximity to Castles Sinclair and Girnigoe.'^ The Cromwellian troops are said to have garrisoned it in 1651.® In 1726 it is referred to as a strong house yet in repair, with a new house lately built between it and the sea, “both now belonging to the family of Hempriggs,”® and by the representatives of this family it is still possessed. Bishop Forbes visited the tower in 1762 and has left a descrip¬ tion of it.’® He mentions that the vaulted chamber on the ground floor was then used as a kitchen, and that Sir William Dunbar had cut out some large windows, and was “ doing up the tower in a very pretty and elegant manner.” Daniell gives an illustration of it as it appeared in 1821.” See ^ Laing Charfers, No. 275 p. 70; Reg. Mag. Slg.; ^ Reg. Sec. Sig., Origines, ii., pt. ii. p. 778; * Reg. Privy Council, v. p. 45; p. 455 ; ® Gordon’s EarUlom of Sutherland, p. 379’; ^ Macfarlane’s Geng. Coll.,\\. p. 452 ; ®IZuV/.,i. p. 159 ; ®Calder’s Caithness, p. 179; ’o Forbes’ Journals, p. 210; ’’Daniell’s Voyage, v. (illus.); see also Cast, and Doni. Arch., iii. p. 250 (plans and illus.); Old Lore Miscellany, etc., vol. iv., pt. i., January 1911. O.S.M., Caith., xx. Visited, 7tli June 1910. 495. Castle of Old Wide, or “ Old Man of Wick.” —A little over 1 m. S. of the town of Wick, on the top of the cliffs, stands the Castle of Old Wick (pi. XLIV.). It occupies a remarkable situation near the land¬ ward end of a narrow promontory which projects for about 100 yards to seaward, flanked by deep inlets or geos, up which the sea surges, on either side. The top of the rock stands some 100' above the sea level. The keep, which still remains to a height of some 25' to 30', is a rectangular block of masonry measuring interiorly some 24'x 16' 3", and having walls about 7' in thickness. It has consisted 138 HISTOKICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Pakish of Wick. of three storeys and a basement, none of wliich have been vaulted. The doorway has been in theE. end of tbe NE. wall facing to seaward, ami probably on tlie lirst floor level, where now is a gap in the wall some 13' wide. There is no sign whatever of there ever having been a stair in the thickness of the wall, though Cordiner, writing in 1776, mentions the existence of narrow stairs of communication thus situated between the upper and lower apartments. On the first floor is a small chamber in tbe SE. wall near the entrance. On the SIC. wall on each floor has been a window, and on the second floor a single aperture overlooks the approach from landward. In the S. corner the wall is badly rent from top to bottom and much bulged. At the landward end of the promontory, some 30 yards from the keep, there are visible the remains of a low rampart placed across it, while in rear of it, on either side of the approach, are the foundations of a small rectangular building. At 60' onwards a trench some 30' in width and 10' in depth has been cut througli the rock from side to side immediately adjoining the keep. The approach over this has probably been by a drawbridge on to tbe area, some 20' in width, which exists between the NW. wall of the castle and the edge of the cliff. Towards the outer end of the promontory, for a distance of 174', there are foundations of buildings on either side with a roadway down the centre, leaving a space measuring some 70'x47' unbuilt on at the seaward extremity. The castle is one of the oldest in Caithness, and probably dates from the 14th century. The first known possessor of the lands of Old Wick was Eannald or Keginald Cheyne, who is supposed to have died about the year 1350. He left two daughters, one of whom was married to Nicolas Sutherland and thus took the property into that family. In the latter half of the loth century Christian, grand¬ daughter and heiress of Sir Alexander Sutherland of Duffus, was married to William, second son of the first Lord Oliphant. The son of this marriage, George Oliphant, received a charter of the lands of “ Beredaill, Aldwick,” etc., dated 12th August 1497.^ He seems to have died young, and eventually Andrew, the third son, succeeded. Being unable peaceably to enjoy his property or to reside on it, he sold his Caithness estates to Lawrence, Lord Oliphant, in 1526.^ In the feud which at this period existed between the Sutherlands and Sinclairs, Lord Oliphant was involved as kinsman to the former and was participant in various encounters with his powerful neighbours from Girnigoe. In 1569, following on a brawl in the town of Wick, Lord Oliphant was besieged in the castle by John, Master of Caithness, for eight days, until in default “ of viveris, speciallie watter,” he was compelled to surrender. The whole account of the proceedings on this occasion is picturesquely stated in a complaint to the Privy Council. In 1644 George, Earl of Caithness, Lord Sinclair of Berriedaill, was served heir male to his father John, Master of Berriedaill, in the earldom of Caithness, including the lands of “ Auldwick,” etc. The castle subsequently passed into the possession of Lord Glenorchy, who sold it to Sir William Dunbar of Hempriggs, with whose representa¬ tives it still remains. See ^ Itey. May. Siy.; '^ibid., see also Cast, and Mom, Arch.., iii. Ancient and Historical Monuments — Caithness. To face p. 138. Plate XLIV.—Castle of Cld Wick (No. 495'. Ancient and Historical Monuments — Caithness. Plate XLV^. —Lintel and Armorial Tablet from Hempriggs House, now at Ackergill Tower (Xo. 496). To face p. 139. _ Plate XLVI.—Carved Stones from Castle Sinclair, now at Ackergill Tower (No. 497). INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 139 Parish of Wick. p. 134 (plans and illus.); Cordiner’s Antiquities, p. 80 (illus.); Calder’s Caithness, pp. 36 and 319; Origines, ii., pt. ii. pp. 773-775; The Oliphants in Scotland, li.-Iviii.; Daniell’s Voyage v. (illus.); New. Stat. Acet. Sutli., etc., XV. p. 139. 0 S.M., Caith., XXV. Visited, 24th May 1910. 496. Hempriggs House. —This house, which lies some 2| m. to the S. of Wick, is said to have been erected in 1692. The original roof was blown off in a gale in 1807, and it has been so altered and modernised that it now presents no features of interest. The lintel from the front door is preserved at Ackergill, and bears the legend: CERI MANI MEMENTO MANE. There, also, is the armorial tablet which was inserted above it (pi. XLV.). The coat may be blazoned thus : A shield bearing impaled arms, viz.—Dexter, quarterly: 1st and 4th, a lion rampant for Dunbar; 2nd and 3rd, three cushions within a double tressure for Eandolph ; on an inescutcheon the'badge of a baronet of Nova Scotia. Sinister, quarterly : 1st and 4th, the Sinclair galley; 2nd and 3rd, a lion rampant; dividing the quarters, a cross engrailed ; supporters, a lion and a savage holding a club in his exterior hand ; above, a knight’s helmet, with a sword and key saltire- wise for crest. Beneath the shield, in cursive letters, the date 17-05 and between, the initials b.d. i.s. The lintel of the dining-room fireplace, also at Ackergill, bears the date 1692 and the intertwined monogram of William Dunbar and his wife—w. D. i. s. O.S.M., Caith., xxv. Visited, 13th June 1910. 497. Cirnigoe Castle and Castle Sinclair. —These castles (figs. 32 and 33, and pis. XLVII. and XLVIII.) are situated about 2|- m. N. of Wick. A narrow, rocky peninsula, rising from 40' to 60', with per¬ pendicular sides, projects for 400' seawai’d. On the N. side towards the E. is the ocean ; and on the S. a deep, narrow inlet of the sea, about 80' in width, cuts it off from the adjoining cliffs. Across the landward end of the promontory a trench has been cut partly through the rock from cliff to cliff, about 20' in width ; and although now largely filled with debris, it is still about 14' in depth. At about -3- of its length the promontory has been again cut through the solid rock by an irregular trench about 14' in width and depth. Between these two trenches is the outer ward of Cirnigoe with the gatehouse, and the later built Castle Sinclair, while the earlier keep of Cirnigoe rears itself aloft from the further edge of the second trench. All traces of the bridge which led to the gatehouse over the first trench are gone. Through the gatehouse an arched passage about 25' in length gives access to the outer ward, and near its centre are the grooves for a portcullis, the slot by which it passed through the roof being now built up by the secondary structure. On the left, behind the position of the portcullis, a narrow, round-arched passage gives access to a guard-room. About twenty-five years ago, when a plan of the whole site was made, the main entrance passage was 44' long, nearly twice what it is now. This shows how rapid is the deteriora¬ tion of the building. Along the S. side the outer ward was protected by a strong wall which extended across the second trench to the Castle of Cirnigoe, protection on the N. towards the sea being unnecessary. A postern 140 HISTORICAL monuments (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Wick. through tliis wall at the base opens from the geo into the trench, r id o o z o I- o lU I by which access is gained on the northward side to a narrow, strongly defended path cut through the rock, winding in a zigzag fashion at Fig. 32. — Girnigoe Castle (No. 497). (Tofatip. HO. f [ i Ancient and Historical .\foninnents — Caithness. Plate XLVIL—Giriiigoe Castle ; View from tlie SW. (No. 497). To face p. 14l INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 141 Parish of Wick. the N. side to steps which lead up through an arched gateway to the outer ward. The tlnor of this trench slopes most dangerously towards the wall bounding its N. end, through which there is a wide arch opening out to the sea many feet below, so that an enemy attempting to rush this trench by the postern ran great risk of being precipitated into the sea. So great is the slope of the trench floor towards the sea that one could not safely walk along it unless planks were pro¬ vided, Many of these arrangements are now obliterated by masses of fallen masonry, but the plan already referred to and here repro¬ duced (fig. 33) shows them as they recently existed. While the castle was thus almost unassailable from the land, it was still exposed to attack from the sea by an enemy landing and making his way up the geo, and either gaining the gatehouse by the outer trench or else effecting an entrance within the defences through the postern at the second trench. To prevent this a strong wall was built across the geo, to seaward of the postern and above the reach of the waves, and the rybats of a doorway through this wall still exist at a height of 10' or 12' above the ground. The keep of Girnigoe, rising from the second trench, occupies the full breadth of the peninsula with a frontage of 36' and a depth of 28' from front to back. Two wings project from the rear of the main block; the S. one, which contained the staircase, now gone, is part of the original building, while the N. wing containing the kitchen has possibly been an addition. The principal entrance was liy a draw¬ bridge across the N. end of the trench, where the corbels for support¬ ing the bridge still exist at the side of the doorway in the front wall. From this doorway an arched passage led to the interior, flanked on the right by a guard-room entered from the seaward end. There is another guard-room alongside this, entered from the S. wing. A separate stair from each guard-room, partly cut out of the rock, leads down: the first to a well-room below the passage and the first guard- room, and the second to a dungeon. The latter stair is guarded by two doors, the first one having a bar hole. Inside this door a loop¬ hole commands the end of the entrance passage, and another from the guard-room commands the seaward approach. The well-room floor is now covered with stones and boulders which have been carried in, but tbe drain for keeiung the floor dry can still be seen projecting towards the sea. These two places are vaulted in contrary directions, and the whole of the entrance floor is also vaulted. The hall occupies the whole of the first floor and measures 30' long by 19' broad and 13' high. It is lighted on all sides except the N., across which was a bretasche. The window over the main entrance was a quaint oriel su])ported on corbelling, with mullions and tran- somes, and a sloping stone roof, at the apex of which there was a carved stone witli the crest of the Earl of Caithness—a demi-bear issuing out of a coronet. This oriel has, within the last few years, fallen and disappeared. On the opposite wall of the chamber is the fireplace, with a doorway alongside leading to a retiring-room in the N. wing. A trap in the arched floor of this room leads down to a concealed chamber 7' high, resting on the kitchen vault. The exist¬ ence of this chamber could never be suspected from the outside. The 142 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLANU) COMMISSION. Parish of Wick. bretasche extended along the N. side for 47', and the corbels for its floor and roof, as well as portions of its joists, exist at a great height, overhanging tlie sea. A door from the retiring-room leads outwards to the S. wall of ttie buildings extending eastwards. In the E. gable of this room, which is about 9' thick, there is a wheel staircase leading to the upper floors. In the S. wing on the upper floor there was another bretasche overhanging the high door in the sea wall crossing the geo. A range of narrow buildings extends for about 65' eastwards from the N. wing, and contains three chambers, the one adjoining the keep having a fireplace and a stair to an upper floor; these buildings occupy one half of the width of the peninsula, leaving a passage 15' wide between them and the S. curtain. Beyond this range of build¬ ings the peninsula widens to about 73' and narrows again towards the end. At the wide part there are various offices with a courtyard between. From a large store on the N. side a vaulted passage about 11' long opened out to the sea. At the extreme end of the rock, and some 15' below the general level, there is an oblong apartment measuring about 35'xl9'; in the floor there is a hatchway giving access to steps which lead down to a passage about 17' long, cut out of the rock, and opening out to the sea on the N. side by an arched doorway. This and the other passage just mentioned were probably used for victualling the castle from the sea. As was the case at many other castles, the limited accommodation of the earlier keep was found insufficient by the lords of a later time, and a new building—Castle Sinclair—was built in the outer ward about the year 1606, there being no room for further extension on the Girnigoe ward. This new castle being more accessible and nearer the land, has suffered more from spoliation, and is now in a complete state of ruin. It contained on the N. side of the ward some five or six apartments, and was in part three storeys high. Along the S. curtain were the offices with a bakery, the round oven of which, though entire a few years ago, is now ruined by the falling in of its arched roof. Castle Sinclair had considerable architectural preten¬ sions, as is shown hy some finely carved corbels for supporting angle turrets and windows. The plan and details of Girnigoe indicate for it a date towards the end of the 15th century. In 1455 William Sinclair, Earl of Orkney, obtained from King James II. a grant of the earldom of Caithness. On 7th December 1476 he resigned the lands of this earldom in favour of William Sinclair, the son by his second marriage with Marjory Sutherland, daughter of Alexander Sutherland of Dunbeath.^ This Earl appears to have resided much in the county. Girnigoe figures largely in Caithness history in the turbulent times of the 16th and early 17th centuries. Within its dungeon in 1571 George, the fourth Earl, imprisoned his son John, the Master, on suspicion of plotting his death. Here the Master “ wes keiped in miserable captivitie for the space of seaven yeirs, and died at last in prissone of famine and vermine as a disasterous subject of a cruell fortune.”^ Castle Sinclair was erected in the year 1606 or 1607, and was Ancient (iiid Historical Momments — Caithness. Plate XLVJII.—(iiniigoe Castle and Castle KSinclaii': lew from tlie M. (No. 4!)7). To face p. 142. Ancient and Historical Monuments — Caithness. I Plate XLIX.—Sujiporters of Arms from Castle Sinclair, now at Ackergill Tower (No. 497). To face p. 143. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 143 Parish of Wick. apparently deserted along with Girnigoe about the year 1679. At that date George Sinclair of Keiss being forced to remove from his castle of Keiss during his quarrel with Campbell of Glenorchy regarding the earldom, is said to have attacked and demolished the houses of Castle Sinclair and Girnigoe.® The Rev. John Brand, who visited tlie castles in 1700, describes them as in ruins, and states that over the lintel of a window in Castle Sinclair he observed the date 1607.'* Bishop Pococke, in his tour in 1760, likewise visited them, and has left drawings of both castles. He mentions that the arms of King Charles II. are to be seen on Castle Sinclair, and these are evidently shown in his drawing in the gable above the entrance.® Tlie supporters of these arms (Dexter, a lion guardant, crowned, gorged and chained, holding a flag charged with St George’s cross, and above his head a rose; and, Sinister: a unicorn, crowned, gorged and chained, holding a similar Hag, with a thistle above his head) are preserved at Ackergill Tower. The crown ensigned with a cross and with the motto IN DEFENCE, also there, is part of the same achievement (pi. XLIX.). The arms were observed by Bishop Forbes in 1762, who remarks that the gilding on them “still remains.”® Cordiner supplies an illustration of both castles as they were in 1776,'^ and Daniell gives views of them drawn in 1821.® In the Appendix to Horne’s Co/zi/i?/ of Caithness there is reproduced “The Inventour of bedding, tapestrie and hagbuts of found delyverit by William Calder at Castle Sinclair the third day of-1624, to James Calder, porter.” The carved stones shown in pi. XLVI. are also from these castles. The ruins are now part of the estate of Ackergill. See Recj. Man. ^k/ > Peerage, ii. p. 332 ; ® Gordon’s Earldom of Sutherland, p. 163 ; ® Douglas Peerage, i. p. 298 ; Calder’s Caithness, p. 190; * Brand’s Description of Orkney, etc., p. 155 ; ® Pococke’s Tours, p. 162 ; ® Forbes’ Journals, p. 212 ; ’’Cordiner’s Antiquities, pi. xvii.; ® Daniell’s Voyage, iv. and v. (illus.); ® Horne’s Caithness, App. p. 457. See also Cast, and Dorn. Arch., ii. p. 306 (plans and illus.). O.S.M., Caith., XX. Visited, 4th July 1910. 498. Keiss Castle .—On the N. side of Sinclair Bay, near the modern house of Keiss, and on a projecting rock above the shore, stand the ruins of Keiss Castle (fig. 34, pi. L.). The NE. angle, which contained the entrance, is gone, as also the upper floors. In plan the castle is oblong, measuring 27'3" x 23' 6" over the walls, having two projecting towers, one to seaward at the SE. angle, and the other, which has contained the staircase, to the W. at the NW. angle; the N. face of the latter being flat and in line with the N. wall of the castle. 'The basement is vaulted, and the walls 3' 3" in thickness. The castle is lofty, with four storeys and an attic. 'I’he corbel mouldings which support a small turret, carrying the stair from the second floor to the roof projecting from the N. wall, are relieved with a chequer ornament, and similar enrichment is seen on the frame of a window on the upper storey facing SW. 'The details are those pertaining to the end of the 16th or beginning of the 17th century. A shield charged with the Sinclair arms, but of late date, removed from the castle, is built into the wall above the front door of Barrock House in Bower Parish. 144 HTSTORICAL MONU:\[ENTS (SCOTEAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Wick. The castle appears originally to have belonged to the Earl of Caith¬ ness, whom Sir Kobert G-ordon mentions in 1623 as lately having had his residence there.^ It passed to a younger branch of the family, a member of which, George Sinclair of Keiss, succeeded to the earldom Fig. 34.—Keiss Castle (No. 498) ; Ground-plan. in 1681 after strenuous opposition to Lord Glenorchy, who had irregularly obtained the title.^ The property was thereafter acquired by the Sinclairs of Dunbeath through a transaction with Lord Breadalbane, and sold again by the representative of that family in in the middle of the 18th century.^ The Eev. John Brand, who visited Caithness in 1700, states tliat it was then ruinous,^ while in 1726 it is mentioned as being in repair, and as having “ at the side of it a convenient house lately built.” ^ See ^Gordon’s Earldom of Sutherland, p. 379; ^ Scots Peerage, ii. p. 203; ® Caithness Family History, p. 90 ; Brand’s Description of Orkney, etc., p. 156 ; ® Macfarlane’s Geog. Coll., i. p. 159. See also Cast, and Dom. Arch., ii. p. 267 (plan and illus.); Daniell’s Voyage, v. (illus.). O.S.M., Caith., xiv. Visited, 14th June 1910. Defensive Constructions. 499. Brock, Cairn Hill, Old Stirkoke .—A green mound at the edge of the bank some 100 yards E. of Haster Burn, and about 250 yards W. of Old Stirkoke farm-house, covers the remains of a broch. About two-thirds of the mound have been removed from the N. side, and no wall face is anywhere visible. The original diameter has been from 80' to 90'. The broch was cut into by a farmer previous Ancient and Historical Monuments — Caithness. Plate L.—Keiss Castle (No. 498). To face p. 144 I ■■ . j(r' (fi ' i ' > INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 14-5 Parish of Wick. to 1871 for the sake of the stone, and the details observed during the operations were noted by Dr Anderson in an article in Archceologia Scotica. The wall measured about 13' in thickness and the interior area some 30' in diameter. A square drain ran underneath the floor. One long oval-ended chamber 11' long and 4' wide was observed in the thickness of the wall. Near the centre of the circular internal area was a cist-like fireplace, formed of four slabs, with a slab at the bottom. It was slightly wider at one end than the other, and measured 4|' in length, in breadth in the middle, and 1' 8" in depth. It was almost completely filled with ashes. The objects recovered were: a bone bodkin, a polished bone needle, tlie half of a polished disc of mica schist with garnets in it, a stone lamp, a few spindle whorls, two whetstones, hammer stones, thin circular discs of slaty stone, a fragment of bronze, and a portion of tbe hilt end of an iron sword with a very broad double-edged blade, most of which are preserved in the National Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh. See Anderson, The Iron Age, p. 232 ; Archceologia Scotica, v., pt. i. p. 142. 500. Broch, Tannacli. —In the middle of an arable field some 300 yards N. of Tannach farm-house, and some 50 yards E. of the road from Stirkoke to Thrumster, is a stony mound which has been ploughed over, measuring some 77' in diameter and 5' to 6' in elevation above the surrounding level. It evidently contains the remains of a broch. O.S.M., Caith., xxiv. Visited, 23rd May 1910. 501. Broch, Gansclet. —In rear and partly beneath the house of Henry Taylor at Gansclet somewhat less than \ m. WSW. of the standing-stone (No. 566), is an artificial mound overgrown with turf, from which a number of flat stones protrude. It measures some 70' in diameter and 5' in height, and evidently contains the ruin of a broch. O.S.M., Caith., xxix. (unnoted). Visited, 23rd May 1910. 502. Broch, Thncmster .—Within a small paddock to the S. of the avenue leading to Thrumster House from the E. and on a slight elevation, are the remains of a broch. The structure has been cleared out, and a portion of the wall towards the S. removed, the ruins of a summer-house occupying the site. The interior diameter is 36', the width of the wall at base about 15', and at 3' 6" elevation 13' 6" to 14'. The greatest height remaining exteriorly and interiorly is 3' 6". The entrance appears to have been from the S. The left or W. wall of the passage seems to remain; the other side has been removed. Some 18' along the inner circumference from the interior end of the passage wall there appears to be a built up entrance about 3' 6" wide. The top of the wall is covered with turf, and no remains of chambers are visible. When the broch was excavated a skeleton was found buried in a cist of slabs in the mould heaped up against the outside of the fabric. A long-handled weaving comb, presented to the National Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh, in 1783 by Mr Innes of Thrumster, is believed also to have been found. See Archceologia Scotica, v., pt. i. p. 187 ; New Stat. Acct. Suth., etc., XV. p. 137. 10 14G HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Wick. 503. Brock, Thrnmster Liltle. —In the corner of a field, about 80 yards S. of Thrnmster Little farm-house, are the remains of a broch. The whole of the outer circumference is visible and shows a diameter over all of 56' 6". The foundation stones are of great size. The inner face is only cleared for some 20' to the left of the end of the entrance passage, and is exposed for a height of about 3' 6". The entrance has been from the ENE. through a passage some 13' in length and 3' 3" wide at the outer end. At 5' 6" inwards are door jambs pro¬ jecting from either side, narrowing the passage to 2' 6", while inwards from them the passage expands to 3' 10", which width it seems to maintain for the rest of its course. The passage is roofless and ruined, and the existence of a guard chamber is unascertainable without excavation. At 8' round the inner circumference to the left of the entrance is an opening about 1' 6" square, which appears to have been a shaft for light above the entrance to a chamber visible through a small aperture in the roof some 4' behind the face of the wall on the interior. The greatest height of wall visible on the exterior is about 4'. For the most part the ruin is beneath a grassy mound, the highest point of which is about 9' above the level of the field and some 3' above the highest elevation of wall visible in the interior. Presuming the thickness of the wall to be the same all round, the interior diameter must be about 30' 6". O.S.M., Caith., xxix. Visited, 23rd May 1910. 504. Brock, Hempriggs. —In a small plantation to the S. of the lodge at the entrance to Hempriggs House are the remains of a broch. A grassy mound some 10' in height, partially removed on the E., covers the ruins. The outline of the broch is in places exposed and shows that the diameter has been about 56' over all. No other details are obtainable. O.S.M., Caith., xxv. Visited, 23rd May 1910. 505. Brock, Hill of Stemster. —On the Hill of Stemster, about 1-^ m. to the W. of Wick and some 300 yards SSE. of Stemster farm-house, at the upper end of a cultivated field, is a grassy mound which has at one time been ploughed over, but is now fenced off as uncultivable. A number of flat stones lying about the surface suggest that it covers the ruins of a broch. The mound, which is much spread, has a diameter of about 110' and an elevation of 3' to 4'. O.S.M., Caith., xxiv. (“ Site of Cairn ”). Visited, 24th May 1910. 506. Brock, “Cairn of Humster ."—About If m. S. of Wick, and some 300 yards N. of Northfleld farm-house, is a grassy mound fenced off from the adjoining arable land and surmounted by a cairn of the flat stones evidently gathered off it. It appears to be the site of a broch, though no sign of the structure is visible. The mound, which has at one time been ploughed over, has a diameter of some 96' and an elevation of about 5'. On the W. there are signs of a surrounding ditch some 40' in width. O.S. M., Caith., xxv. Visited, 24th May 1910. 507. Brock, Kilrnster .—Situated on arable land from which it is railed off, \ m. SE. of Skitten croft at Kilrnster, is a broch. The INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 147 Parish of Wick. green hillock which conceals its ruins was, in part, excavated by the late Sir Francis Tress Barry in 1904, and about one half of the inner face of the wall on either side of the entrance has been exposed. The broch is much ruined, and the shaley stones of which it is built are rapidly disintegrating. The entrance has been from the W. by N. through a passage some 15' in length, and 3' in width at the outside. At 3' 7" inwards is a rebate for a door formed by the widening of the passage to 3' 5", and a sill projects for a height of 4" across the floor. At 1' 10" in rear of the door checks on the right side is the entrance till 1111 f 1 ^ 1 T 1 li 11 INI I I Fig. 35.—Broch, Kilmster (No. 507); Ground-plan. lo a guard chamber which has measured some 15' in length, and 6' 6" at greatest width, of whicji the inner or left side of the wall adjacent to the passage is now gone. The diameter of the interior of the broch has been some 33'. 'The greatest height of wall visible in the interior is 5', and the thickness of the wall at this level is 14' 6". The greatest height of wall visible in the passage is 4' 4". The passage roof and also that of the guard chamber are awanting. With¬ in the interior, to the left of the entrance, is an enclosure formed of upright slabs, the one side of which is in line with the left wall of the passage. It is 6' in length, 4' 6" in breadth against the wall of the broch, and 3' 3" at tlie opposite end. A similar enclosure seems to have existed on the opposite side of the entrance, and a 148 UISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Wick. number of displaced slabs round to the left in the interior imply the existence of others. Immediately opposite the entrance in the interior, and some 10' inwards, a portion of building is exposed; the side in line with the right wall of the main passage visible for 4" of its length, and the return facing the entrance uncovered for a shorter distance. At 12' to the left of the entrance on the face of the wall in the interior, 3' 9" above present ground level, is a recess some 6" square at the outside, extending inwards for 1' 3" and diminishing in size. There is no sign of a scarcement. On excava¬ tion it was found that a clay rampart, at highest 10' in height, encircled the broch revetted on the inner side with a stone wall some 3' distant from the tower. This wall remains visible towards the N. and appears to curve inwards from the NW, In front of the rampart was a ditch some 50' wide. A plan made by Mr John Nicolson, Nybster, at the time of the excavation is here reproduced (fig. 35). O.S.M., Caith., xix. Visited, 3rd June 1910. 508. Broch, “Norwall Broch” South Kilmster .—About | m. SE. from South Kilmster farm is a grassy mound which has been excavated » f ? -V -Ip ^ li m l-i i-H-j-1-+-1 Fig. 36.—“Norwall Broch” (No. 508); Ground-plau, to some extent and in which the ruins of a broch are partially exposed. About one half of the inner periphery of the structure has been cleared on either side of the entrance. The entrance has been from the W. along an outer passage curving from the S. still visible for INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 149 Parish of Wick. 15' in length outside the broch. On the right of this outer passage 3' 6" distant from the broch is a check for a door faced with a thin slab, and on the same side immediately adjoining the broch is an entrance to a passage, or chamber, 2' 6" wide. Outside the check this outer passage is 2' 10" wide: within it is 4' wide. The passage through the wall of the broch is 13' 6" in length, and some 3' 6" wide at the inner end. Some 9' inwards have been checks for a door. The passage is only partially cleared and is much ruined. 'Ihe diameter of the interior of the broch has been 26'. The greatest height of wall visible in the interior is 3' 8", but the base is covered with debris. The external face where exposed is quite insignificant in elevation. Outside the broch, to the IN', of the entrance passage, the remains of considerable out¬ buildings have been laid bare. A plan of the broch, made by Mr John Nicolson, Nybster, at the date of excavation, is here reproduced (fig. 36). O.S.M., Caith., xix. Visited, 3rd June 1910. 509. Broch, Yarrows, Loch of Yarroivs .—Situated at the S. end of the Loch of Yarrows is the broch of Yarrows (or Yarhouse), which was excavated by Dr Joseph Anderson in 1866-67, and from whose description the following particulars are derived:— The appearance before excavation was that of a conical grass- covered mound 18' to 20' in height, standing on a low, fiat triangular projection of the shore of the loch cut ofi' from the land by a ditch varying from 25' to 30' wide. Kemains of five human skeletons were found embedded in the earth and stones of the mound, but not deep enough to have any determinable relation with the structure of the broch Ijclow, and near one of these was recovered a fiat circular brooch of brass inscribed with a talismanic inscription common to the brooches of the 13th and 14th centuries. When excavated, the broch consisted of a circular wall 12' to 13' thick, enclosing a central area 30' in diameter. 'The height of the wall remaining was about 15'. 'The doorway, which passed straight through the wall, was about 6' high and 2^' wiile, slightly narrower at top than at bottom, and well built with long flat slabs, some of which were 8' in length. There were no guard chambers or bar holes, and the checks for the door were quite on the inner side of the wall. Opening from the interior area to the left of the doorway was the entrance to the stair, wliich also gave access to an oblong chamber at the stair foot. The stair itself was 3' wide, and sixteen steps up there was a landing with a light-hole or window looking into the interior of the broch. Above the entrance to the stair there were also three windows placed vertically over each other. In the thickness of the wall opposite the doorway was an oblong chamber roofed in the usual manner by overlapping stones. The broch had an interior wall of inferior masonry built against the main wall, and partially bonded into it at the door openings. This inner wall was 2V thick and rose to a height of 8' where the wall head formed a level scarcement all round the interior: and there were also partition walls running half way across the area from both 150 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Wick. sides of the doorway. These were partly built and partly formed of long slabs set on end, and they rose to about the same height as the scarcement. The partitions and the inner wall forming the scarcement were founded on an accumula¬ tion of rubbish largely mixed with ashes and food refuse which covered the original floor of the broch to the depth of 12" to 14". They were therefore clearly secondary constructions made to adapt the broch to the purposes of a secondary occupa¬ tion. Outside the broch were two long irregularly shaped enclosures (0 and D on plan), and several smaller cells. The outer enclosure was 100' in length and varied in width from 6' to 20'; the inner enclosure was 70' in length and about 12' in width, and each had a little cell provided with door checks opening off them. In some places their walls remained entire INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 151 Parish of Wick. to the height of 10' without showing any sign of overlapping for a roof. Both of these large enclosures had irregular rows of long slabs set on end in their floors. A long covered way (A) leading to the entrance of the broch traversed the NE. end of these enclosures. It varied in width from 3' at the door of the broch to about 5' at the outer end, and had checks for doors at four different places in its length. The secondary character of all these exterior constructions was obvious from the fact that underneath their foundations there was a con¬ siderable depth of stones overlying the original soil, and mingled with ashes and food refuse. It was also evident that various occupations of the interior of the broch had taken place from time to time when the original floor had become covered with rubbish to a considerable depth. Partition walls were met with at three different levels, dividing the internal area on three different plans, the last being a partial partition utilising only one side of the area, at a time when the original floor had become covered with 8' of stones and rubbish. The relics recovered consisted of grain rubbers and stones hollowed like mortars, stone pestles, pounders or hammer stones, whetstones, circular discs of slaty sandstone, stone balls, a small rounded pebble of quartz with a hole through it, and a number of spindle whorls, a ring and armlet of bronze, and a few fragments of iron knives, besides pottery. The animal remains included those of the reindeer and the red-deer. The relics are preserved in the National Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh. The broch is now in a rather dilapidated condition, and the stone of which it is built, especially on the inner face of the wall, is dis¬ integrating rapidly. The greatest height of the main wall visible in the interior is 11', and the greatest height of the lining 6'. The width of the passage is 2' 8". There is no guard chamber, and the door checks occur at 11' from the outside near the inner end of the passage. Three consecutive lintels remain over the passage for 4' 6" of its length. The entrance to the stair is blocked, and only one of the windows is complete above it. The chamber at the foot of the stair is still entire, and is 3' 8" wide at greatest width, and 6' 2" high. The walls slightly converge upwards and support a roof of flags. The steps of the stair are almost entirely hidden with soil and vegetation. The chamber entering from the interior opposite the main entrance is still intact for some 9' 4" at its S. end, and measures 4' across at greatest width, and 6' 4" in height above the present floor level. A large portion of the facing wall has recently fallen away on the N. side, while the walls which crossed the court are now hardly recognisable. The walls of the outbuildings are still in good condition. A plan made by Sir Henry Dryden at the date of excavation is here reproduced (fig. 37). See Mem. Anthrop. Soc. Lond., iii. p. 228; Anderson, The Iron Age, p. 223 (plan and illus.); Archceolgia Scotica, v., pt. i. p. 131 (plan and illus.). O.S.M., Caith., xxix. (“Cairns of Yarrows (Brough)”). Visited, 6th June 1910. 152 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Wick. 510. Broch, Borrowston .—In the corner of an arable Held some 200 yards S. of Borrowston cottage is a grass-covered mound contain¬ ing the remains of a broch. The mound over all measures some 114' in diameter and has an elevation of about 10'. The upper portion, which is circular, with a diameter of 42' and a height of 3', probably indicates the position of the main structure. Some 6' above the natural level at the W. end of the mound is a well-marked terrace in form of a crescent some 20' in greatest breadth from the base of the more elevated portion. There are no signs of any excavation having taken place. O.S.M.. Caith., xxix. Visited, 8th June 1910. 511. Broch, Brounaban .—To the W. of the Lybster railway, near 'I’lirumster, some 200 yards U. of Brounaban croft, at the edge of a cultivated field, are the remains of a broch which has been excavated. The inner face of the wall has been rebuilt to an even level of some 5' all round, and the interior is used as a garden. The main entrance has been from the E. through a passage some 14' in length, the outer end of which has been removed. There has been no guard chamber, nor do any signs of door checks remain. Some 6' N. of the right wall of the entrance passage is the back wall of a chamber about 14' in length and 4' 3" at greatest breadth, the entrance to which from the inner court has been built up. Some 21' from the inner end of the entrance passage on the right, measured direct, has been the entrance to a stair 3' 6" wide, the steps of which are still visible, rising to the right and having a chamber at the foot of it some 13' in length by 3' 9" in greatest width. At 18' from the inner end of the passage on the left, measured direct, has been the entrance to another stair, also 3' 6" wide, rising to the right and having a chamber at the foot of it some 17' in length, but now only 2' in width. Opposite the entrance to this stair from the interior there appears to have been another entrance from the exterior, now ruined, but the E. wall of which is still distinct. Slightly to the S. of a point opposite the main entrance of the broch has been the entrance to another chamber, now built up, exposed for 17' of its length, and measuring 3' 4" in width. 'The outer face of the broch has not been laid bare. During excavation there were found at the foot of one of the stairs the remains of a human skeleton, and close by the side of the door, a long cist consisting partly of flags and partly built, containing another skeleton, much decayed. The interior area was paved, and there was a good square drain underneath the pavement round what had been a hollow fireplace near the centre. See Archceologia Scotica, v., pt. i. p. 142. O.S.M., Caith., xxix. Visited, 8th June 1910. 512. Hill Fort, Yarrows .—On the plateau which forms the top of the hill above the cliffs, some f m. SW. of the most southerly point of the Loch of Yarrows, and a short distance to the NW. of the highest of the cairns of Warehouse (No. 551), are the remains of fortifications. Towards the S. end, stretching E. and W. for a distance of about 120', are the ruins of a wall overgrown for the most part with peat and turf, and in front of it on the E. half is a ditch some 15' wide, the bottom of which is some 6' below the level of the top of the scarp. Through INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 1.53 Parish of Wick. this wall, towards the W. end, is apparently an entrance some 6' wide, but the sides of which are now indefinite. The wall does not show in any way surmounting the natural escarpment of rock, but else¬ where it is in places recognisable. In front of the defences at the S. end is a glacis some 60' wide, extending to the edge of the plateau which is low in this direction. O.S. M., Caith., xxix. (unnoted). Visited, 8th June 1910. 513. Broch, “ Wester Broch” or “ Castle Linglas .”—Situated at the S. end of Keiss Links, just within the fringe of sandhills that border the 4 - 50 7 ? -V‘ “ect. Fig. 38. — " Wester Broch,” Keiss (No. .'<13); Ground-plan. shore, and about | m. N. of the water of Wester, is the “ Wester broch (fig. 38), which was excavated by the late Sir Francis Tress Barry. It is entered from the AVNW. through a passage, now for the greater part built up, 13' in length, 3^' wide at the exterior end, and 2' 7" at the interior. Where the passage narrows at 9' from the outer end are door checks. The interior diameter is 27'. At 22' to the left, measured direct from the inner extremity of the entrance and at a height of 3' above the floor level, is the entrance to the stair 21/ wide, rising to the right. At the foot of the stair is a chamber, not now visible, 9-V in length, 3' in width, and roofed at the end. At 30' to 40' from the base of the broch are the remains of a wall of circumvallation visible for a considerable distance on the NW. and SW. sides, and believed to encircle it. Between this wall and the 154 HISTOKICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Wick. bi’och on the front or entrance side are the remains of eight or nine small cells or outhuildings. The greatest height of wall in the interior is about 5' 6", and of that exposed on the exterior about 2', while the thickness of the wall varies from 13' to 14'. The objects found on excavation included whetstones, circular discs of slaty stone, the upper stone of a rotary quern and several saddle querns, a large long-handled bone comb, and five quartzite pebbles of ovoid shape, painted on their surfaces with spots in a blackish or blackish- brown pigment. In the sand on the top of the wall of the broch were found four cists containing skeletons laid out at full length. See Antiquaries, xxxv. p. 119 (plan); ihicl., xliii. p. 13. O.S.M., Caith., xix. (“ Castles Linglas ”). Visited, 11th June 1910. 514. Broch, Bilbster .—On a low-lying meadow, some 80 yards back from the left bank of the Wick Eiver and some 300 yards NW. of the road bridge to the H. of Bilbster House, is a grassy hillock. It has been under cultivation, and has now an elevation of only 3' or 4', but its artificial character is obvious. The diameter over all is some 94'. There is a hollow or depression on the top about 38' in diameter. The level of the field all around the hillock is low. O.S.M., Caith., xix. (unnoted). Visited, 13th June 1910. 515. Broch, “ Keiss Broch .”—Immediately to the N. of the harbour of Keiss, on a beach terrace now overgrown with grass, is the “ Keiss broch ” or “ Harbour mound ” (fig. 39 and pi. LI.), which was excavated Fig. 39.—“Keiss Broch” (No. 515); Ground-plan. Aiil'Kilt n//il Hislunidl MoKiniiciitn — ('(litluien.H. To face p 15 - 4 . Pi.ATK LI.— ‘‘ Keiss liroch” ; Blocked Kntrance from outside (No. ol-') INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 155 Parish of Wick. by the late Sir Francis Tress Barry. The entrance has been from the seaward direction, and, though both sides of the passage are gone, there are remains of the floor of a guard chamber on the right. A well-made drain passes under the flags of the entrance. The interior diameter is 38', and the thickness of the wall about 12'. Against the lower- part of the inner face is a lining wall or scarcement 1' 3" thick and still remaining to a height of about 5' on the N., thus reducing the interior diameter to some 35' 6" at floor level. The general average height of wall remaining in the interior is about 5', and the greatest height, which is towards the N., is 8'. At 24' round the inner circumference to the left of the entrance is the entrance, 2' 10" wide, to a stair in the thickness of the wall at a height of 3' 6" above the general floor level. The stair is 2' 8" wide, but most of the steps are now concealed by the debris. From the level of the entrance to the stair, five steps were discovered on excavation leading down to a water hole, but they are not now visible. The water hole evidently communicated with a well in the interior, irregularly circular, about 4|' in diameter and 6' in depth. Four steps led down to it, and the top was covered by slabs laid level with the floor. On the opposite side of the broch there has been another stairway with a chamber at the foot of the stair, now built up. This stair rose to the right and was 3' 4" wide. The entrance to it had been at one time part of a main entrance through the exterior part of the wall, but bad subsequently been built up and the scarcement built in front of it. On the outside lies a large triangular block of stone which may have formed the lintel of this doorway. The greatest height of wall remaining on the exterior is 5' 6". In the interior are the remains of various small enclosures formed of flags set on end. Immediately outside the closed entrance on the NE. are the remains of an outer wall, and at 16' back from the broch the face of a wall, concentric with the main structure, has been exposed for a distance of some 24' and is visible passing onwards round the building towards the S. The interspace in front of the closed entrance is paved. Among the relics found on excavation were two fragments of Roman Samian ware; portions of howls of 2nd-century type, on one of which is an undraped figure of Venus (Dechelette No. 173); two pieces of white ware, covered with a black slip and decorated with a scroll ornament in white, Romano-British manufacture of the 2nd century; a few pieces of coarse unglazed pottery, decorated with an im¬ pressed chevrony pattern ; a small crucible, in depth, with a portion of melted hronze adhering to the bottom; a long-handled bone comlj 5^" in length; a lamp of sandstone measuring 5-^" x 4|"; a rudely shaped cup of sandstone measuring 41" x 4v" in length and breadth and 2" in depth; saddle querns and portions of rotary querns ; antlers of the red-deer of great size, and bones of the Great Auk. In an earlier excavation a portion of the horn of a reindeer was discovered. The relics are preserved in the National Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh. See Antiquaries,. p. 122 (plan and illus.); ihid. vii. p. 42 (illus.); ibid. viii. p. 192 (illus.). O.S.M., Caith., xiv. Visited, 14th June 1910. 156 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Wick. 516. Brock, “ Brock’ at the IMiite Gate," Keiss .—On the same terrace as the broch (No. 515), at a distance of less than m. northward, and a few yards distant from the shore, from which it is separated by a narrow strip of greensward, is another broch (fig. 40 and pi. LII.') which has also been excavated and is referred to in the account of the excavation as the “ broch at the White G-ate.” It is entered from the seaward direction by a passage straight through the wall some 13' in length, 2' 6" wide at the exterior, and 3' 6" wide at the interior opening. At 3' 8" inward from the exterior is a rebate for a door, and at a distance of 5' 6" further in are a pair of checks projecting 8" on either side. The interior diameter is 26'. At a distance of 12' round the inner circumference from the end of the passage to the left, a break in the wall probably marked the entrance to the stairway; and almost Fig. 40. — “ Broch at the White Gate,” Keiss (No. 516); Ground-plan. opposite the main entrance, 2' above the floor level, a secondary chamber about 7' in diameter has been partly formed upon the wall. Two secondary partitions, one formed of flags set on end and some distance apart, and the other of slabs laid on edge along the floor, crossed the area of the broch from the entrance to the back. These partitions are 8' apart, and midway between them, nearly in the centre of the interior, is a cist-like cavity or fireplace some 2^' square. At short distances on one side are erect slabs set edgewise to the main wall. In the NE. side of the interior face of the main wall there is a recess or ambry 2' square at a height of about 3|-' from the floor. The wall of the broch only remains visible to a height of about 3'. The entrance passage is prolonged outwards through a series of secondary buildings containing four irregularly shaped chambers. In a rectangular enclosure of upright slabs against the inner face of the wall of the broch, to the left of the entrance, were found the fragments of a large jar of coarse unglazed pottery which, when Ancient and Hidorical Monuments—Gaithnesi. To face p. I’l.ATE LI I.- “ F.i' 0 cli at the White Gate,’' Keiss : Kutraiice Passage from Interior (Xo. oKi). Ancient and Historical Monuments — (MitlDiess. To face p, 157. Plate LIII.—“Road Brocli," Keiss : North Stair in Wall (Ni INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OP CAITHNESS. 157 :ry o lo so 30 40 5p 6p TP [-^1-1 —I-f—+—+—+—F—ir Fig. 41. —“Road Brcch,” Keiss{No. 517) ; Ground-plan. of it, is the broch e.xcavated by the late Sir Francis Tress Barry and known as the “ Koad Broch ” (fig. 41). The broch and associated out¬ buildings occupy a large area enclosed within a massive encircling wall and having a diameter of 144'. The broch itself is entered from the NE. through an entrance 2' 6" wide at the outside, going straight through the wall for a distance of 15' 9". At a distance of 7' inwards from the outside there are checks for a door formed of slabs 4' 7" in height set edgewise in the passage walls, beyond which the passage in¬ creases in width to 3' 2". On the right side, and 2|' behind the checks is the entrance to a guard chamber 2' wide and 3' high. 'I'he chamber itself is ruined and is no longer accessible. No part of the roof remains on the passage. 'The interior area of the broch measures Parish of Wick. reconstructed, measured 17" in height by 17^" in diameter at the mouth, tapering to 7" in diameter at the base. It is now in the National Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh. The only other objects found were a few grain rubbers and portions of rotary querns. See Antiquaries, xxxv. p. 127 (plan and illus.). O.S.M., Caith., xiv. Visited, 14th June 1910. 517. Broch, Road Broch,” Kirk Tofts, Keiss .—Situated in a field at Keiss, close to the public road to John o’ Groat’s, and on the W. side 158 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Wick. 34' in diameter, aud there is no scarcemeut. The wall has a total thickness varying from 13' 9" to 15' 9", but the original wall appears to have been only about 12' thick, and a casing wall varying from about 2' to 3' 9" in thickness has been added on the exterior. At 20' round the inner circumference from the left of the main entrance is the entrance to the stair, now built up, and on the W. side of which the wall is in a very ruinous condition. There is a chamber at the foot of the stair to the left, 12' in length by 5' in width. The stair ascends to the right 4' within the wall and is 4' wide. The steps, of which twelve were disclosed on excavation, are now obscured by debris. Nearly opposite to the main entrance in the interior is a chamber in the wall, the entrance to which is now partly built up (pi. LTV.). It was entered through a rectangular aperture cut in a large slab which formed the front. The size of this chamber was found to be 4' 6" in length by 3' 9" in width and 4' 7" in height. At a distance of 24' round the inner circumference to the right of the main entrance is the entrance to another stair also ascending to the right. This stairway is 3' 6" wide, and on excavation eleven steps were exposed (pi. LITI.). At the foot of the stair was a chamber, now filled in, extending for 30' along the centre of the wall and measuring 4' 6" in width at floor level. There has been at one time an entrance from the exterior through the wall at the foot of the second stair 3' 9" wide. In the centre of the interior is an underground chamber with steps down to it and covered with slabs. It is 5' long by 3' wide and 5' 6" deep, and partly cut out of the rock on one side. There are also two tank-like constructions formed of slabs set on edge in the floor, one of which measures 3' in length by 2' 4" in width and 1' 6" in depth, and the other 3' 2" in length by 2' 9" in width and 1' 6" in depth (pi. LIV.). The interior court is subdivided into four sections by Secondary partitions of slabs set on edge. The greatest height of wall visible in the interior is about 7'. In front of the main entrance on the exterior there has been added a circular court with a diameter of about 33', the wall of which is partially founded on the lower courses of the addition to the thickness of the wall of the broch and partially on an accumulation of debris 2^' high. Between the broch and the outer enclosing wall are several outbuildings. Among the relics recovered on excavation were some pieces of coarse unornamented pottery; a portion of an armlet of shale; a long- handled comb with five prongs at the toothed end; a small bronze ring; a flattish circular disc of sandstone IJ" in diameter and f" in thickness, having slightly incised markings suggestive of an attempted inscription on both of its flat sides, and on one side the figure of a bird ; three quartzite pebbles of ovoid shape painted on their surfaces with spots in a blackish or blackish-brown pigment; a lamp of stone; a stone cup with a side handle; saddle and rotary querns; two moulds for ingots 4" and 5". in length respectively ; and two socket stones for the pivots of doors. Among the food refuse were bones of the ox, sheep or goat, and swine, portions of red-deer horns, charred grain, and what is believed to be a single canine tooth of a bear. See Antiquaries, xxxv. p. 131 (plan and illus.). O.S.M., Caith., xiv. Visited, 14th June 1910. Ancient and Hidoricnl Monuments — Uuith.ness, To fate />. 158 , Plate LTA P>oad l^roch,’' Keiss ; Interior, showing Ilecess in AV^all and Water Tank in Floor (Xo. 517). INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 159 I’ARisn OF Wick. 518. Broch, Nybster .—The brocli of Nybster (fig. 42) is situated on the top of a high cliff promontory about 60 yards in length and 40 yards in width at the landward end, narrowing to seaward. It has been cut off from the land by a ditch some 20' wide dug out across 10 ip 20 50 40 50 6P rTS (SCOTLAXD) COMMISSIOX. I U)0 Parish of '\Mck. thickening of the wall ends in a stairway, of which five steps remain from the level of the interior area to the present level of the top of the wall. A similar arrangement of steps to the N. of the entrance gives access to the present top of the wall from the floor of the long chamber immediately behind the northern half of the wall. Immediately in rear of this entrance through the forework stands the broch, which, however, is entered from the opposite or seaward side and is in that direction enclosed by a congeries of outbuildings, oblong, circular, and irregular in form, scattered over nearly the whole area of the promontory. The entrance to the broch is through a passage 14' in length, about 3' in width for the first 10', where there are checks for a door, and widening a few inches on either side for the remainder of its length. The stone in which the pivot of the door worked is still in situ. There is no guard chamber. The interior area measures 23' in diameter. There is no stair, but at 14' 6" from the inner end of the passage to the left on the inner face of the wall a filling or rebuilding with smaller stone, commenc¬ ing 2' above the floor level and extending for a distance of 5', is distinctly visible. The greatest height of wall remaining is 5' 3". In the floor of the interior area towards the N. side there are two cist-like constructions formed of four slabs set on edge which have been supposed to be fireplaces. One measures 4' x 2' and 2' 5" deep ; the other 3' 3" x 2' 8" and 1' 4" deep. Almost opposite the entrance towards the back is a small pit or well, squarish, about 1' 3" in diameter, but now only 1' 2" in depth. The original covering stone remains, and to keep it in position a notch has been cut in one side which fits over a pointed stone set firmly in the floor alongside. A drain, lintelled over, passes out under the entrance passage. The outbuildings are well built. The relics found in the course of the excavations included a long- handled bone comb, a bronze pin with a fixed annular head set on a short right-angled projection from the stalk, several portions of rotary quern stones and saddle querns, an upper stone of a quern of the former type ornamented with radial grooves and flutings, but without a central perforation, and a large object made from a cetacean bone, with indications of friction, and having a number of small triangular¬ shaped indentations made with a tool on its surface. The more im¬ portant of these relics are now preserved in the ISTational Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh. See Antiquaries, xxxv. p. 139 (plan and illus.). O.S.M., Caith., xiv. Visited, 24th June 1910. 519. Broch, Thuster .—In the corner of a cultivated field, about m. N. of Thuster farm is a low circular mound, much ploughed down, which appears to cover the ruins of a broch. It has a diameter of about 130' and an elevation of from 4' to 5'. There is much slaty stone lying about the surface. A stone cup with a side handle found in the \dcinity passed into the possession of the late Sir Francis Tress Barry. O.S.M., Caith., xxiv. (unnoted). Visited, 25th June 1910. 520. Broch, ‘‘ Hillhead Broch!’ or “ The Pap,” Broadhaven. — Situated about 200 yards E. of Hillhead farm, at Broadhaven near INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 161 Parish of Wick. Wick, are the remains of a broch excavated by the late Sir Francis Tress Barry in 1903. In its present condition the interior is largely filled with debris, beneath which the wall face is hidden. On the exterior towards the W. the wall is visible for a height of about 2'. A plan made when the broch -was excavated is here reproduced (fig. 43), and shows the following particulars: Outside the broch to the E., some 30' distant from the entrance, two converging passages, some 8' apart and 3' in width, walled on either side and furnished with door checks, led inwards for a distance of 17' or thereby when they converged. Beyond the point of convergence was a rebate for a door, the passage expanding to about 5' in width. Some 7' 6" onwards an outer casing wall 5' 6" in thickness was passed through, with door checks some 2' in from the outer edge of it. Within these checks on Fig. 43.—Broch, Hillhead, Broadhaven (No. 520); Ground-plan. the left was an entrance, 2' wide, to a flight of six steps leading down to a well about 8' in depth. Where the main wall of the broch was entered, the passage was 3' 3" wide, and its length thence to the interior was 13'. At 5' 6" inward to the right and left were door¬ ways 1' 5" and 1' 8" in width and 4' 6" in height respectively, leading into guard chambers roofed with converging stones, that on the right of indefinite length, and that on the left 12' long. Some 3' inwards from these doorways the passage expanded to a width of 5' for a distance of 2', forming a recess on either side and checks for a door, contracting again to 3' at the inner extremity. The diameter of the interior court was 30', but had been reduced by some 2' to 3' by a facing wall, portions of which still remained. At 18' to the left of the entrance, measured direct across the interior, was the access to the stair through a doorway 6' 6" in height, and by a passage covered with a horizontal roof 3' in width and some 5' in length. The stair rose to the right and at the foot of it was a chamber. On the opposite side of the court, some 17' from the entrance, a passage 2' 11 162 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Wick. wide and 8' long led into a chainber of indefinite length, covered at the E. end by a roof of converging stones. The average height of the main wall in the interior was about 9'. In this broch was found the top of a human skull through which were three small perforations placed so as to form, roughly, an equilateral triangle. It is preserved in the National Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh. O.S.M., Caith., XXV. Visited, 27th June 1910. 521. Broch, Cairn of Elsay,” Staxigoe .—At the landward end of a spur of low rock that projects into the sea to tlie ESE. of the farm Fig. 44.—Brocli, “Cairn of Elsay,” Staxigoe (No. 521); Ground-plan. of Elsay, about m. S. of Staxigoe, is situated a broch which was excavated by the late Sir Francis Tress Barry, a plan of which, made at the time, is here reproduced (fig. 44). The entrance is from the S. or seaward end of the rocks, through a passage 17' in length and 3' wide for 1 V, where it expands to 4', forming a rebate for a door. Inward from this point it slightly narrows, and at the inner end it is 3' 6" in width. In rear of the checks on either side are square holes for the bar. The bottom of the passage is not now clear of debris, but the height of wall exposed is 3' 4". One lintel remains in position, but broken, above the door checks. The interior diameter is 29'. Some 19' round to the left of the inner end of the passage has been the entrance to the stair, 2' 4" wide. The wall on the left has fallen. The stairway rising to the right is 3' 7" wide at the foot, and 2' 3" at the highest remaining point, 12' distant. The foot of the INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 1G3 Paiush of Wick. stair is concealed by ruins, but beneath its position is exposed a small circular chamber measuring as far down as exposed some 3' in diameter and covered with a roof of converging stones. At the foot of the stair stretching towards the main entrance has been a chamber, the inner wall of which is visible for a short distance. Some 15' round to the right of the main entrance, close to tlie wall, another small bee-hive-roofed chamber is exposed, also some 3' in diameter. Across the interior area of the broch some 12' from the back, and with a concave outline towards it, rises a secondary wall whose highest point is some 8' or 9' above floor level. For one half of its periphery, and that towards the N., the wall of the broch is better preserved than that of any hitherto visited, having an elevation of 9'. At the only point where the wall face on the exterior is com¬ pletely exposed it measures 5' 6" in height. Any outbuildings which may exist around the broch have not been uncovered. The plan shows an outer casing wall some 5' 6" in thickness through wliich the entrance passes, but which is not now apparent. O.S.M., Caitii., XXV. Visited, 27th June 1910. 522. Broch, Canister .—300 yards E. of Camster farm, which is situated on the high moorland between the villages of Watten and Latheron, and some 6 in. S. of the former, is a broch. Overlooking a track of marshy ground to the E. of the Camster burn is a rocky escarpment, from the edge of which rises to a height of some 12' a round rock, cut off from the rising slope on the E. and W. by a trench some 30' wide. The sides of the rock are steeply scarped on the W. to a height of about 12' and to a somewliat less extent on the E., while to the Southward the rocky face from the base of the promin¬ ence falls away for some 12' to 15' more. Below the counterscarp, which is visible only on the E. and W. flanks, the depth of the trench is some 3' to 4'. From the top of the scarp towards tlie base of the broch the usual terrace, some 20' in width, appears to intervene. This is very apparent on the E. and W., but on the N. the surface is much disturbed, and in this direction has probalJy been the entrance and outbuildings. Two segments of what appear to be the circular wall of the broch project for some 3' to 4' from the surface, indicating a diameter over all of some 78' and an interior diameter of about 34'; but as the whole mound is covered with thick turf, and no wall face visible, these measurements can only be held to be approximate. O.S.M., Caith., xxix. Visited, 30th June 1910. 523. Broch, Ulbster .—At the end of a cottage some 100 yards S. of Ulbster school and near the high road is a mound whicli probably covers the remains of a broch ; it has been much quarried. The diameter over all is 06', and that of a circular depression in tlie centre, which seems to mark the interior court, is 21'. The elevation of the mound is from 4' to 5'. O.S.M., Caith., xxix. Visited, 6th July 1910. 524. Broch, IVatcnan .—Near the N. end of Loch Watenan, and about 180 yards to the N. of Watenan farm, rises a grassy mound on which are the ruins of a broch. The broch is almost entirely overgrown with vegetation, but the outer face of 164 HISTORICAL ISIONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COIMMISSION. Parish of Wick. the wall being in one or two places laid lare shows that the diameter over all is some 63'. On the E. a chamber has been exposed owing to the collapse of a portion of the roof, and its entrance passage from the interior is clear of debris. The chamber at present floor level is 8' 9" ill length, 5' 8" in breadth, and has been about 6' in height. The entrance into it is at the N. end and is by a passage 4' long and 2' wide. The thickness of the broch wall at this point is 12'. The interior of the broch is entirely filled with debris and overgrown. The elevation of the structure is about 8'. Betwixt tbe base of tbe broch and the edge of the mound on the E. is a considerable area over which are signs of buildings. On the SE. a small isolated mound some 5' in height is cut off from the main hillock by a trench about 28' in width, and signs of a similar trench are visible on tbe N. with a slight elevation beyond it. On the E. the ground falls sharply away; on the W. it is under cultivation. O.S.M., Caitil, xxix. Visited, 11th July 1910. 525. Broch, Toftgun .—Situated about 1]- m. to the W. of the Hill of Yarrows is the deserted settlement of Toftgun, I m. to the S. of which a low grassy mound evidently marks the site of a broch. The structure appears to have been almost entirely removed—probably to build the wall of a neighbouring enclosure, and its dimensions are now unobtainable. A number of large slabs set on end protruding from the turf towards the S. seem to indicate the existence of out¬ buildings. O.S.M., Caith., xxix. Visited, 13th July 1910. 526. Forf,, Loch Watenan .—At the extreme N. end of the ridge of of rock that runs parallel to Loch Watenan on its W. side is a small fort. On the crest of- the ridge, a circular area with a diameter of some 27' is enclosed by a wall some 12' in thickness, now entirely covered by peat and vegetation. Its greatest elevation above the interior is 3' to 4'. The entrance to this area is not quite apparent, but it was probably from the SE. It is further defended by a stony rampart or wall from 12' to 18' in thickness, forming an oval around it 30' distant at the IST. end and about 14' at the S., close on the W. flank, and some 20' distant on the E. From the E. end of the N. front a bank or wall apparently connects the two lines of circum- vallation. At the N. extremity the outer wall presents a scarp about 10' in height, with a shallow ditch some 10' in width at the base of it. On the S. this wall is less prominent, and its outer and inner faces being exposed show it had a thickness of 12'; the ditch is visible at this end also. The sides of the ridge are steep. The dimensions of this fort are analogous to those of a broch, but there is a complete absence of the debris which would be found around such a structure. O.S.M., Caith., xxix. Visited, 11th July 1910. 527. Defensive Enclosure, Watenan .-—-At the upper end of a slight elevation some 200 yards WNW. of Watenan farm is a circular enclosure with an interior diameter of some 58', an entrance from the S., and a bank from 15' to 20' in thickness. The position of the outer entrance is indicated by two upright slabs set 3' 5" apart. It Ancient and Historical Monuments — Caithness. I I i 7Vi face y.V' Plate LV.—Gateway of Garrywhin Fort (No. 528). INVENTORV OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 165 Parish of Wick. opens on a small outer court in rear of which, at 1.3' distant from the main entrance, is an inner circle with a diameter of some 32' and divided by a bank 8' or 9' in thickness crossing the interior from the W. side. Being overgrown with vegetation the plan of the construc¬ tion is difficult to expiscate. Along the edge of the elevated ground on the NE. runs an old bank, but its defensive character is doubtful. O.S.M., Caith., xxix. (“Fort”). Visited, 11th July 1910. 528. Fort, GarryivMn .—Occupying the entire summit of a broad- backed ridge that rises from the N. end of Broughwhin Loch is the large stone-built fort of Garrywhin. The direction of the ridge is N. and S. The fort is in shape an elongated oval measuring some 600' in length by 189' in width. The wall which surrounds it has been some 6' in thickness, measured on the W. where both faces are exposed, and still exists in parts for a height of about 2'. Three huge slabs standing erect at the N. end mark the principal entrance (pi. LV.), two on one side of the passage and one on the other. These slabs are set at right angles to the direction of the passage, and probably faced the wall. The outer limit of the entrance is marked by two slabs, one on either side, 7' 5" apart. The slab on the right, or W. side, measures 5' 7" in height, 5' in greatest breadth, and 8" in thick¬ ness, while that opposite is 5' in height, 3' 5" in breadth, and 1' in thickness. The inner slab on the W. is gone, but that on the left or E. side of the passage stands 12' 10" back from that in front, measures 5' in height, 4' 2" in breadth, and 8" in thickness. The distance between the slabs probably indicates that the thickness of the wall at the front was double that at the sides, where the steep slopes of the ridge gave additional security from attack. At the S. end overlooking the loch has been another entrance, marked by a break in the wall and one weathered upright slab some 2' in height on the W, side. Outside this, and on the W. of it, are evidently the ruins of some out-buildings, now of indefinite plan. On the W. side towards the S. end a break in the wall may indicate a narrow port from which access was gained to a well in the bottom of the glen below. Halfway along the E. wall, at tbe end of a natural terrace sloping upwards from the S., a disturbance of the continuity of the wall may indicate a fourth entrance, or possibly the site of two chambers, as has been elsewhere suggested. See Anderson, The Iron Age, p. 273. O.S.M., Caith., xxix. Visited, 13th July 1910. 529. Fortified Enclosure, Kilmster .—Situated immediately to the E. of the most north-westerly of the Kilmster crofts, at the edge of a cultivated field, are the remains of a defensive construction. A slight elevation rising from the moorland has been encircled with a single rampart of earth and stone, having a ditch outside it. The enclosure is oval, measuring interiorly some 230' from SE. to NW. by about 200' from NE. to SW. The rampart, which is now of low elevation, measures some 18' in breadth at base, while the ditch is about 12' wide and at present level some 3' deep below the top of the rampart. A break through the circumvallation towards the SE. has probably been the entrance. The greater part of the area is under cultivation. 166 HISTORICAL M0NU:MENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Wick. but a small portion on the SE. is still on the moorland. Many worked dints and chips of the same material have been found on the site. O.S.M., Caith., xxix. (unnoted). Visited, 11th June 1910. Hut Circles, etc. 530. Hut Circle, Loch of Yarroius .—On a slight knoll sheltered by surrounding hills, some 300 yards SSW. of the most southerly point of the Loch of Yarrows, and some 500 yards SSE. of South Yarrows, is a hut circle. It is oval in plan, measuring interiorly some 17' X 21', and has been entered from the S. The interior has been dug out, and the door is somewhat below the level of the surrounding ground. The bank, whose elevation is some 2', is about 7' in thickness, and has been lined on the interior with large slabs set on end. Immediately to the left of the entrance in the interior is a recess in the bank, lined with stones measuring 3' in diameter either way. A smaller circle, with an approximate interior diameter of 7', is placed contiguous to the larger circle on its W. side, and seems to have been entered from the SSW. by a passage some 7' in length. Within the interior of it, against the E. wall, are two slabs set on edge, placed at right angles to each other, 2' long and 1' 8" high by 3" thick. Some 31' to the N. of these constructions are the ruins of another small oval enclosure measuring interiorly some 6' by 7'. The entrance appears to have been from the W. The door is at slightly lower level than the natural level outside. The face of the bank appears to have been lined with stones. From the front of this construction is visible the outline of a bank or wall curving round towards the W. side of the large hut circle above described. 531. Hut Circle, do .—Some 150 yards SSE. of the last is another well-dedned hut circle. It is oval in plan, and measures interiorly some 23' x 26'. The entrance is from the E., and seems to have been about 2' 6" wide. The enclosing bank or wall has been built with stones and peat, and is in places 2' to 3' in height. The building has been exposed in one or two places, otherwise it is over¬ grown with turf and heather. Joined to the hut circle on one side at the SW. is a semicircular or horseshoe-shaped enclosure, measur¬ ing some 17' across the opening by 13' in depth. Some 40' to the W. are the remains of a small mound or cairn which has been excavated. It measures some 20' in diameter. O.S.M., Caith., xxix. (unnoted). Visited, 8th June 1910. 532. Hut Circle, Ackergill .—Situated in a sandy hollow, about 1 m. NW. of Ackergill Tower, and some 50 to 60 yards above high-water mark, is a hut circle (pi. LVL). It measures interiorly in diameter about 12' from N. to S. by 10' 6" from E. to W., and the entrance, which is from the SE., is some 3' wide. The walls, now about 1' 6" in height, are built of stone laid on the sandy soil, and the floor, except opposite the entrance, is neatly paved with flags. The interior has been in part dug out at the back. There is a small recess in the wall on the left of the doorway, and another outside and to the right of the entrance. The sand in the latter, when excavated, was much dis- Ancient and Historical Monuments — Caithness. To face p. 106 Pi-ATE LVI.- Hut Circle, Ackergill (No. 532). Ancient and Historical Moiniments — Caithness. Plate LVII.—Entrance to Hut Circle, Hill of Yarrows (No. 533). Plate LVlII.—Horned Long Cairn, Camster (No. 5G3). iofacep lt)7. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 167 Parish of Wick. coloured for a depth of nearly 2' or more, and contained fragments of charcoal. To the N. of the circle is a large kitchen midden. The hut circle was excavated by Mr J. E. Cree in July 1910, and two implements of iron, resembling punches, were found on the floor. See Antiquaries, xlv. p. 181. O.S.M., Caith., xix. (unnoted). Visited, 11th June 1910. 533. Hut Circle and Mounds, Hill of Yarrows. —About ^ m. W. by S. of the broch of Yarrows (No. 509), on a slight elevation in the moorland, is a hut circle. It is almost circular, measuring interiorly 20'x21'. The bank, which is formed of earth and stone, measures some 6' to 8' on base, but is spread out for the most part to several feet more. In height it measures from 1\' to 2'. The entrance (pi. LVII.) from the E., 2' 4" wide, is marked by the existence of portal stones on either side, 2' 9" and V 8" in length, and 1' 4" and 1' 8" high respectively above present ground level. The interior is overgrown with heather. To the N. of the circle, some 30' from the entrance, is a mound lying E. and W., measuring some 17' in length, 13' in breadth, and 2' 6" in height. To the W. of it, nearer the circle, there appears to be another of lesser dimensions. O.S.M., Caith., xxix. (“ Tumulus”). Visited, 6th June 1910. 534. Hut Circles and Mounds, Ulbster. — On either side of the road that leads from Borrowston to the Mains of Ulbster, round the base of Ulbster Hill on the N., is a group of hut circles and mounds. They are scattered over a distance of some 400 yards, and lie to the SSE. of the Ormiegill chambered cairn (No. 556). The mounds number about a score. They measure from 15' to 20' in diameter and 2' to 3' in elevation. Some were excavated by Dr Joseph Anderson in 1865, but no evidence of a sepulchral character was revealed. On the E. side of the road, near the upper end of the group, is a hut circle, the bank of which is much broken down. Interiorly it has measured some 18'x22', and has been surrounded by a bank or wall 4' to 5' in thickness. The entrance has been from the SSE., and two large stones, placed with their broad faces parallel, still mark its position. These stones are about 1' 10" apart, 1' 2" high, and 1' 4" in length. A single stone laid between them forms a sill. Some 40 yards S. are the indistinct remains of another circle which has been partially destroyed by the road, and some 200 yards further on there is visible the partial outline of another which has had a diameter of some 24'. See Mem. Anthrof. Soc. Loud., ii. p. 245. O.S.iM., Caith., xxix. Visited, ITtb June 1910. 535. Hut Circle, Upjyer Achairn. — -Near the source of the Achairn Burn, about 1 m. E. of the Canister road, and about 1 m. SW. of the shepherd’s deserteC' ,*^. i-'s-:*'' j 4**' ^ jjS ;, .^, A It. ■:!!!<« Ancient and Historical Momnnents — Caithness. Plate LIX.—Standing-Stones, Loch of Yarrows (No. 567). Plate LX.—Cnp-inarked Stone.s, Nybster (No. 576). To fare p. 185. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 185 Parish of Wick. Miscellaneous. 566. Standing-Stone, Gansclet .—About 250 yards WNW. of the schoolhouse at Gansclet, in an arable field, is a large slab 1' 4" in length, 4" in thickness, 3' 7" in breadth at base, and 2' in breadth at the upper end. It is supported by three or four smaller slabs driven into the ground on either face and rests on another protruding 1' 6" above ground. It faces E. and W. The large slab, with the base on which it rests, is said to have formed a single standing-stone and to have been broken by a blow from a hammer some sixty years ago. It was re-erected at the time by order of the proprietor. O.S.M., Caith., xxix. Visited, 23rd May 1910. 567. Standing-Stones, Loch of Yarrows .—On the top of a ridge, about ^ m. E. of the S. end of the Loch of Yarrows, are two prominent standing-stones (pi. LIX.). They stand along the mesial line of a low artificial mound of recent erection. The stones are some 18' 6" apart. The highest stone is towards the N. and measures some 8' 4" in height above ground, while the other stone measures 6' 5". In horizontal section they are both quadrangular, measuring 1' 7"xll" and 1' 6"xl0". The stones are placed in line N. 18° W. and S. 18° E. The N. stone faces ENE. and WSW., while the S. stone is set facing almost due N. and S. About forty years ago the ground in the vicinity of these stones was trenched, and the mound and encircling depression resulted from this work. No sign of an interment was found. O.S.M., Caitil, xxix. Visited, 8th June 1910. 568. Standing-Stone, North Bilbster .—In a grass park aliout 150 yards W. of North Bilbster farm buildings, on a slope which reaches from the higher ground to the haugh by the Wick Eiver, is a granitic boulder, evidently ice-borne, standing to a height of 8' 6" above ground. Its greatest girth some 3' above the ground is 17' 8", and its thickness about 4' 8". It has been pointed towards the upper extremity, possibly by human agency. O.S.]\I., Caith., xix. Visited, 26th May 1910. 569. Stone Basin, Stirkolce .—In the centre of the flower garden at Stirkoke House there stands a rudely shaped circular block of sandstone, having a deep basin hollowed out of it. The height of the block is 1' 4", its circumference at top 6' 3", and at base 5'. The diameter is 2' over all across the basin, and 1' 6" within it. There is no sign of ornament and the edge of the basin is rounded. This stone is said to have been found in the Piaster ford of the Wick Eiver, near the ruins of the ancient church of St Mary, and to have been removed by a blacksmith to his smithy in the neighbour¬ hood, where, filled with water, it was used for cooling irons in. From the smithy it was transferred to its present site. Though the interior has been carefully smoothed the shaping of the exterior has been very rudely accomplished. O.S.M., Caith., xxiv. Visited, 31st JMay 1910, 570. Stone Rows, Battle Moss, Ijoeli of Yarrows .—Some 200 yards down the E. shore of the Loch of Yarrows from the burn of Thrumster, 186 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Wick. which llows in at the NE. corner, on a strip of moorland lying between the cultivated laud and the loch, is a setting of parallel rows of stones. The rows run almost due N. and S. and, with slight irregu¬ larities in line, are parallel. There are eight rows in all, six of which are fairly complete for a distance of about 138'. Of one row near the centre of the monument only a very few stones remain, while the row indicated on the O.S. map and on a plan made by Sir Henry Dry den in 1871 and preserved in the Library of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, as being nearly double the length of the others, viz., 384', is now within the area of ploughed land and almost eradicated. Broken fragments, which probably represent the stones, lie on the adjacent heather. The most northerly stone of this row now visible is 304' distant from the commencement of the row. The distance between the rows varies from 5' to 7' 8", and the stones are set in the rows from 5' to 6' 6" apart. As in other similar monuments the stones are placed with their broad faces looking across the rows. They are slabs of freestone from 3" to 4" in thick¬ ness, and protrude from a few inches to about a foot above the ground. Except where the cultivated land has encroached none of the stones seem to have been recently disturbed. See Anderson, The Bronze and Stone Ages, p. 130 (illus.). O.S.M., Caith., xxix. (“ Standing-stones ”). Visited, 6th June 1910. 571. Stone Roivs, Watenan. —On a low ridge running ISI. and S., some 300 yards WSW. of Watenan farm, are the remains of several rows of stones which appear to have radiated from the N. in a southerly direction. No cairn is now visible in connection with them. The stones have been much disturbed, but there appear to have been four rows about 9' apart, the stones in which are seemingly about 5' distant from each other. The greatest length from the most northerly to the most southerly stone is 94', and the greatest breadth across the rows 36'. In the most complete row, that on the E., some five or six stones remain. The stones are thin slabs set with their broad faces looking across the rows, projecting from a few inches to about a couple of feet above ground, and seldom more than 2' in breadth —usually less. O.S.M., Caith., xxix. (unnoted). Visited, 11th July 1910. 572. Stone Bows, Broughwhin. —On the low lying ground to the S. of Broughwhin, and between “Cairn Hanach” (No. 562), and the fence of the enclosed park to the W. of Groat’s Loch, are the remains of another setting of stone rows. Two rows are very evident, running approximately from SSE. to NNW. and radiating from a single stone at the S. end, 1' 6" above ground, 1' 3" broad, and 1' thick. In the W. or outer row are ten stones in situ and one prostrate; in the E. row three in situ and one prostrate omitting the stone at the head from the second row. The length of the W. row is 111', and of the E. row 80', the rows at the end of the latter being 10' apart. The stones, which are set facing across the rows, are of the usual character but appear to have been placed closer to each other, several in the W. row being only some 4' 6" apart. Some 20' beyond the end of the W. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 187 Parish of Wick. row is a single stone set with its broad face across the row which may or may not be part of the monument. O.S.M., Caith., xxix. (unnoted). Visited, 13th duly 1910. 573. Slone Bows, Gamster. — Situated 350' SSE. of the cairn (No. 565), in which a cist has been exposed, and about 250 yards S. of the large circular cairn (No. 564), is a setting of stone rows. The monument appears to be in a very complete state, though the majority of the stones are now buried beneath several inches of peat. A small amount of excavation would probably disclose them all. There are six rows, running approximately N. and S. and radiating slightly in the latter direction. At the N. end they measure some 32' across and at the S. end 42'. The greatest length is 88'. The stones in the rows are of the usual class—thin slabs facing across the rows, and set from 5' 6" to 7' apart. Counting from the W. the following numbers of stones were located in each row:— 1st row, 11 stones. 4th row. 4 stones. 2nd „ 9 „ 5th „ 3 „ 3rd „ 5 „ 6th „ 2 „ A plan of this setting, prepared from a survey made by Sir Henry Dryden in 1871, is preserved in the library of the Society of Anti¬ quaries of Scotland. It indicates 38 stones erect and above ground, and the existence of other 34 beneath the surface. O.S.M., Caith., xxix. (unnoted). Visited, 14th July 1910. 574. Standing-Stones, Gamster. —On the E. side of the road from Watten to Lybster, slightly to the N. of the point where a track branches off to Camster, are two standing-stones. That nearest the road is some 30' distant from it. It is a low stone standing 2' 10" above ground, measuring 3' 9" in breadth and 10" in thickness, and faces NNE. and SSW. Some 170' to the N. of it is another similar slab, 2' 8" high, 3' 5" broad, and 10" thick, facing NNW. and SSE. This latter stone does not seem to be very deeply set. It is not certain that these stones form, or are part of, a pre¬ historic monument. O.S.M., Caith., xxix. (unnoted). Visited, 30th June 1910. 575. Standing-Stone, Ulhster School. —Just outside the wall of the playground adjoining Ulbster school, at its NW. angle, is a large standing-stone. It is a block of blue Caithness flag, 6' 6" in height above ground, 3' in breadth at base, 2' 8" at apex, and 1' 4" in thick¬ ness, facing NNW. and SSE. O.S.M., Caith., xxix. Visited, 6Lh July 1910 576. Gup-marked Stones, Xyhster. —In front of Mr John Nicol- son’s house at Nybster are three cup-marked stones (pi. LX.) which he has brought from various places:— (1.) An oval block of freestone from the “ Sand ” broch, Freswick, (No. 34) measures 1' 9" in length by 1' 3" in breadth and 6" in thick¬ ness. Irregularly disposed, over its surface are nine cup-marks—the largest has a diameter of 3" and a depth of 1\"; the smallest a diameter of 1^": the diameter of the other marks average some 2§". 188 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Wick. (2.) A large, irregularly shaped block of red sandstone, found thrown out from the ruins of Gills broch, Canisbay (No. 5‘1), by a man quarrying it for stones. Its length is 2' 6" and its breadth 1' 3". At the upper end of the stone is one large oblong hollow, 7|" long by 5" wide by 2" deep. Beneath it are ten other circular marks, the largest of which, near the base on the left, measures 3"xll", while the others, which are loss distinct, vary in diameter from I" to 2". (3.) This stone, which is an oblong flag measuring 1' 7" by 1' 4", was found in a field near Nybster. The original surface has flaked oft' the stone, removing several of the cup-marks; five, however, still remain visible. They are placed near together, and measure from ly' to 2|-" in diameter. They are said to have been originally connected in pairs by shallow grooves, which are still, in the case of two pairs, faintly visible. O.S.M., Caith., xiv. Visited, 5th July 1910. 577. Construction, Keiss Links ,—On the summit of a sandy hillock, about 100 yards N. of the “ Wester broch,” are apparent the ruins of a structure which, when excavated by the late Sir Francis Tress Barry, showed the remains of foundations of an oblong, rectangular, dry-built structure partially paved with slabs. One of these slabs was an incised symbol-stone bearing two symbols, a disc or mirror-like symbol and a triple oval symbol. This stone is now in the National Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh. See Early Christ. Mon., pt. iii. p. 27; Antiqxiarics, xxix. p. 272. O.S.M., Caith., xix. Visited, 11th June 1910. 578. Mound, Eyhster. — Some 300 yards S. of the school at Nybster, close beside the road on the W. side, is a low mound, which was excavated by the late Sir Francis Tress Barry. It was found to contain a circular building with a diameter of about 6', having a semicircular recess with a radius of about 3' opening out of it at the back. There was an entrance from the NE., about 2' wide, between two large stones laid on edge. The whole structure is said to have shown evidence of having been affected by fire. The wall was about 2' 6" in thickness, and existing to a height of about 3'. In the interior there was found a thin flat sandstone slab, measuring about 17" in length, 71/ in breadth, and 2" in thickness, perforated at one end with a hole drilled from both sides. There was also discovered a human jaw partially consumed by fire, and two other human bones. The structure was filled up after examination. O.S.M., Caith., xiv. (unnoted). Visited, 30th August 1910. 579. Mound, Quintfall .—In the cultivated ground to the S. of the Moss of Quintfall, and about \ m. N. of Quintfall farm-house, is a mound overgown with grass, measuring some 42' in diameter and about 6' in elevation. A trench was dug through it by the late Sir Francis Tress Barry, almost to the ground level, but no relics or interment were found. O.S.M., Caith., xiii. Visited, 18th August 1910. * 580. Cairn, Ulbstcr .—Near the base of the slope to the NE. of the cairn of Ormiegill, on what has been an old lake margin, is a large INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 189 Parish of Wick. accumulation of stones like a cairn of crescentic shape. It measures nearly 100 yards in length. One end of it, which seemed to terminate in a circular cairn, was dug into by Dr Joseph Anderson in 1865. He found the stones disposed at the end in a regular line, forming a kind of entrance-way, but discovered no trace of a chamber. No further excavation was attempted, and the character of the construction is still unascertained. See Mem. Anthrop. Soc. Land., ii. p. 245. 0 S.M., Caith., xxix. Visited, 17th June 1910. 581. “ Ktrk Slones,” Stroups/er .—About 1 m. SSW. of Stroupster there rises out of the moorland a green mound some 50 yards in length by about 30 yards in breadth. The remains of various buildings on this site bear the name of the “ Kirk Stones.” The buildings are of early type, but none of them suggest an ecclesiastical edifice. In all there are the remains of four structures, in which large fiat slabs have been freely used to face the inner sides of the walls. On the most conspicuous building, near the centre of the mound, some excavation was made by Mr Samuel Laing and also by Sir Francis Tress Barry. It has been a rectangular building, with a wall some 4' 6" in thickness, enclosing an area nearly IP square. This has been entered by a passage from the WSW., near the centre of one wall, 13' in length, 2' wide at the inner end, and slightly wider at the exterior. At the inner end, on the right, is a square pillar, which may have formed one side of a doorway, with a lower block behind it, and on the opposite side a similar stone lies along the side of the passage, some 3' 3" in length, corresponding in length with the two on the opposite side. Outside these the passage is 3' 6" in width. Against the back or ENE. wall, in the interior, are set three slabs edge-on to the wall, the end slabs 2' and 3' distant from either side and 1' 5" and 3' 4" ajiart from the centre stone. Two of them are about 2' in height, and one P 6", and they project outwards from 2' 3" to 3'. The thickness of the walls on either side of the passage is indeterminate, but at 6' 7" to the left the face of a wall, running parallel for a distance of 16', has been exposed. The whole group appears to have been enclosed within a wall. A burn, called the Kirk Burn, fiovvs along the N. side. On the adjacent moorland, where the heather has been recently burned, ridges caused by cultivation are clearly defined. On excavation Mr Laing reported the finding of a row of boulders forming a bench or bed along the wall on each side. Of that there is now no trace. He obtained, infer alia, some fragnients of wheel-made pottery, one of the pieces having a coarse blue glaze on it. See Antiquaries, vii. p. 50 (illus. and plan); Prehistoric liemains of Caithness, p. 36 (illus. and plan). O.S.M., Caith., xiii. Visited, 24th June 1910. 582. Font, U.F. Manse, Pultneytown, Wide .—In the garden of the U.F. manse at Pultneytown is a font, octagonal in shape externally, and measuring some 2' 3" in diameter over all, by 1' 2" in height. Each face, 7" wide, bears a pointed shield, while a 190 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Wick. half-round vertical moulding, 3" across, separates them at the angles. The shields do not appear to have been charged. The basin, which is circular, measures 1' 5" in diameter and 10" in depth. The edge, for a depth of 4" round one half, has gone, and on the opposite side a similar portion is detached. The font is supposed to have come from the old chapel of St Fergus at Wick. In 1840 it was found by the parish minister of Wick in the glebe farm-yard, where it was being used as a trough and for sharpening knives on. He purchased it from the heritors, and from his widow it passed to the present possessors. O.S.M., Caith., XXV. Visited, 22nd June 1910. 583. Heraldic Stone, Ulhster Mains. —AVithin the farm-house of Ulbster Mains is an old fireplace, in the centre of which is a carved panel bearing the following arms: Quarterly, 1st and 4th, the Sinclair galley ; 2nd and 3rd, a lion rampant; dividing the quarters, a cross engrailed. On the 4th quarter, in addition, are the letters i“s. Ad¬ joining is a small rectangular compartment charged with three boars heads erased above the letters i c. These are evidently the arms of John Sinclair of Ulbster and Jean Chisholm his wife, the latter commemorated on a grave-slab in the Sinclair aisle at Wick. She died 23rd November 1614. O.S.M., Caith., xxix. Visited, 6th July 1910. 584. Mounds, Shorelands. —On the right-hand side of the road leading from Shorelands farm to the shore, and some yards to the NE. of the farm, are two mounds, apparently artificial, both under cultivation. Judging from the stones which have been exposed, that nearest the road has probably been a broch. O.S.M., Caith., xx. Visited, 2nd July 1910. 585. Mound, Papigoe, IVick. —In rear of a cottage on the W. side of the road, towards the N. end of Papigoe, is a large circular mound which may possibly conceal a broch. It measures about 110' in diameter, and has an elevation of from 5' to 6'. It is somewhat stony on the surface, but a sample of the soil recently upturned appears to be clay, which suggests a natural character. O.S.M., Caith., xxv. Visited, 27th June 1910. 586. Mound, Ulbster. —Some 300 yards ENE. of Ulbster School is a grassy knoll the character of which is not evident. It measures in diameter 110' from N. to S. by 95' from E. to W. Its highest elevation is about 8', and there is no depression on the summit. O.S.M., Caith., xxix. Visited, 6th July 1910. 587. Sculptured Stone, Links of Keiss Bay. —A stone bearing two symbols and part of an Ogham inscription, was found on the links towards the S. side of Keiss Bay in August 1896 and is now preserved in the National .Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh. It is a portion of a slab of Caithness slate measuring about 4' in length, 2' in breadth, and nearly 3" in thickness, sculptured with incised lines on one face as follows:— 1. 'Ihe fish, of which only the lower portion remains. 2. The rectangular symbol divided longitudinally by a band of two parallel lines f" apart, enclosing a row of contiguous INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 191 Parish of Wick. curves rising from the lower line which also curves in terminal spirals below. The upper half of the rectangle is filled with spiral scroll-work. To the left of these figures in a slanting direction to the break in the stone is a line of eight letters of an Ogham inscription reading from the bottom upwards,— N E H T E T R I. See Antiquaries, xxxi. p. 296 ; Early Christ. Mon., pt. iii. p. 28 (illus.). Sites. 588. Broch, Kettlehiorn . — About 1 m. to the NW. of the town of Wick, and about | m. from the N. bank of the river, is the site of the broch of Kettleburn, which was removed by agricultural operations in 1853. At that time the ruins were excavated by Mr A. H. Pibind of Sibster, and his description of them and of the interesting finds they yielded are recorded in the Arch ecological Journal quoted below. The diameter of the mound on which the broch stood was some 120', but only fragments of the broch remained. It had been surrounded by a boundary wall 3' in thickness by 3' in height, and in the interior were a built well reached by steps, and a drain. The relics recovered included a pair of bronze tweezers of late Celtic design, 41"x]|", a bone comb 5^' in length, stone balls and discs, whetstones, portions of quern stones, many fragments of coarse, unornamented pottery, and implements of iron. There were also found human remains and those of the Bos longifrons, deer, whale, and seal. The relics are preserved in the Xational Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh, and form the first collection made from the systematic excavation of a broch. See Arch ecological Journal, x. p. 212 (illus.); Mem. Anthrop. Soc. Lond., ii. p. 227 ; Anderson, The Iron Age, p. 209 (illus.); Antiquaries, i. p. 264 (illus.). O.S.M., Caitii. XXV. 589. Cairn, Brownaban. —About | in. NNW. of Brounaban, on a slight heather-covered elevation between two grass fields, is the site of a long cairn. The cairn has been almost entirely removed, but a low ridge appears to mark its outline. It seems to have been about 170' in length, lying with its main axis E. and AV., and to have been 50' broad at the E. end and some 33' at the W. There are no in¬ dications of horns. O.S.M., Caitii., x.xix. (unnoted). Visited, 17th June 1910. 590. Cairn, Aclcergill. — About \ m. SW. of Ackergill Tower are the scanty remains of a large cairn. It no longer shows any feature of interest or importance, so thoroughly has it been demolished. O.S.M., Caith., XX. Visited, 7th June 1910. 591. Kiln, “ Thorny Hillock.^ Barrock Mill. — Some 60 yards SSE. of Barrock Mill is a grassy mound, with a diameter of some 43' and an elevation of about 4', which was excavated by the late Sir Erancis Tress Barry and found to have been a kiln. O.S.M., Caitii., xiii. Visited, 4th July 1910. 192 HISTOKIOAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Wick. 592. Kirh o’ Moss, Moss of Kilmsier. —From the heathery surface of the jMoss of Kilmster, about 1 in. to the W. of tlie loch of that name, there rises a green ridge with an elevation of some 8' to 10', and stretching NNW. and SSE. for a distance of some 400', with an average width of about 120'. It is remote from human habitation and ditticult of access, e.Kcept along the baidc of the burn or “ canal,” as it is locally called, from the E. Towards the SSE. end, on the highest point, are foundations of a building, lying E. and W., built of large blocks of freestone, and said to be those of a church. So disturbed and overgrown are these foundations that the plan, without excava¬ tion, is not ascertainable, but they appear to be those of a building measuring over all some 30' in length by 17' in breadth. To the S. of this site has been a square enclosure, such as might be a garden or graveyard, and at the SSE. side of it are the foundations marked on the turf of several small rectangular structures. Some 60' NNW. of the site of the supposed church is another enclosure surrounded by a stone wall, now much overgrown, and containing the ruins of a small rectangular building in its midst. This building and the wall of the enclosure around it are possibly of later date than the others. This is apparently the site of the chapel mentioned as St Dudoch’s (St Duthac’s) Kirk in the “Description of the Parish of Wick in Caithness,” 1726, printed in Macfarlane’s Geographical Collections, where it is related that in former times the neighbouring inhabitants of .Alirelandorn were in the habit of visiting the site before sunrise on Christmas and leaving there an offering of bread and cheese and a silver coin. At the extreme NNW. end of the ridge are two or three low mounds of some 25' diameter, of indeterminable character. About 250 yards W. of the kirk stones, on the left bank of the burn of Kilmster, is a small green mound some 22' to 23' in diameter, and 3' in elevation, with slight depressions several feet in length and breadth on the top. This is known locally as “ Brigend’s swine house.” Though plough ridges are visible on the adjacent moorland, it must be long since there was any cultivation near the spot. See Macfarlane’s Geog. Coll., i. p. 160. O.S.M., Caitii., xix. Visited, 2nd June 1910. 593. Si Catliberl’s Church or Chapel of Master .—Some 200 yards ESE. of Upper Has ter farm-house, at the lower end of a cultivated field, and about 100 yards W. of the Achairn Burn, are the foundations of a chapel known as St Cuthbert’s Church. It appears to have been a chancelled building, and to have measured interiorly 40' x 14'. The chancel wall has crossed the interior apparently about 13' from the E. end. As the wall faces are not exposed, these measurements may not be absolutely accurate. The church is called by Macfarlane in his Geographical Collections, the “ Chappel of Haulster,” but he gives no particulars regarding it beyond the statement that “ the common people bury ther dead about ik” See Macfarlane’s Geog. Coll., p. 160. O.S.M., Caith. xxiv. Visited, 23rd May 1910. IXVEXTORY OF ^[OXUMEXTS, ETC., TX COUXTV OF CAITHXE.SS. 198 Parish of Wick. 594. St Mary's Ghayd, Sibster. —The site of this chapel lies about ^ m. S. of Sibster House; the foundations being traceable on the low ground near the Wick River. None of the building remains visible. The chapel appears to have measured interiorly some 40' x 20'. In 1726 it was described as “ane old chappie called Marykirk, which the commons did superstitiously frequent on the first Sabbath after the new moon.” See Macfarlane’s Geoy. Coll., i. p. 160. O.S.M., Caith., xxiv. Visited, 26th May 1910, 595. St Tear's Chapel, Shorelancls. —About | m. N. by E. of Shore- lands farm, and 30 yards back from the edge of the cliff by the shore, are clearly discernible the foundations of the Chapel of St Tear. Within a bank which has probably marked the outer faces of the walls, the stones of which have been removed, the measurement is 40' x 23'. Bishop Forbes, who visited the chapel in 1762, records that he “came to the Ruines of a very singular [little] Chapel of stone and “ mortar, without any Lime, and without Windows either in the East “ or West Gable, all the windows being in the South Wall. It is “ called the Chapel of St Tear, and the country people to this very day “ assemble here in (the) morning of the Feast of the Holy Innocents “ and say their prayers, bringing their Offerings along with them, some “ Bread, others Bread and Cheese, others Money, etc., and putting these “ into the Holes of the Walls. In the afternoon they get Music—a “ Piper or a Fiddler and Dance on the Green where the Chapel stands. “ The roof is off, but the walls are almost all entire. One of tlie late “ presbyterian preachers of Wick thought to have abolished this old “ practice, and for that end appointed a Diet of catechising in that “ corner of the Parish upon the day of the Holy Innocents, but not one “ attended him; all went, as usual, to St Tear’s Chapel. I saw the “ F’ont-stone for Baptism lying on the Green at the East End of the “ Chapel.” The chapel is associated with a clan feud in the 15th century when a party of the Clan Gunn were attacked within its walls by the Keiths and a terrible conflict ensued. It is said that a meeting for effecting a reconciliation, to be attended by twelve “ horse ” on each side, had been arranged between the rival families to take place at the chapel. When the Gunns were within its walls the Keiths arrived, but had outraged the agreement by bringing two men on each horse. With this superior force they attacked the Gunns and killed most of them, but not without considerable loss on their own side. 'The dedication of this chapel is a source of much speculation. It is given as St Tear’s, St Tayre, St Tay, or St Ere, and is said to refer to the Holy Innocents. It is possibly a dedication transferred in Roman Catholic times from an earlier Celtic dedication to St Airerain or Ereran, whose day is given in the Irish missal preserved at Drummond Castle as 29th December, one day after that of the Holy Innocents. ' See Oriyines, ii. pt. ii., p. 772; Macfarlane’s Geog. Coll., i. p. 159; Forbes’s Journals, p. 211; IMackinlay’s Aneient Church Dedications, 13 194 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. Parish of Wick. pp. 310 and 396 ; Gordon’s Earldom of Sutherland, p. 92 ; Chronicles of the Frasers ( Wardlaw MS.), p. 113. O.S.M., Caitil, XX. Visited, 4th July 1910. 596. St Martin’s Chapel (Site), and Mausoleum, Ulbster. —The site of St Martin’s Chapel in an old graveyard to the S. of Mains of Ulbster is occupied by a mausoleum of the Sinclairs of Ulbster. This structure (pi. LXL), measuring some 22' square across the walls, has a roof of an ogee outline carried to a point which is surmounted by a cone bearing a weather vane pierced with initials, i.M.s. (the central letter now imperfect), probably for Mr John Sinclair, and the date 1700. A flight of nine broad steps leads up to the door of the mausoleum. Let into the E. wall is a panel bearing an inscription now much effaced, but which when complete read:— thou aviio desires ane humbling sight to see COME IN BEHOLD WHAT THOU ERE LONG MUST BE. O.S.M., Caith., xxix. Visited, 6th July 1910. The O.S. map indicates a site as under:— 597. Chapel (sup 2 ^osed) at burial ground near Thrumster House. O.S.M,, Caith., xxix. Ancient and Historical Mo')i.'um.ents — Caithness. Plate LX I.—Mausoleum, Ulbster (X"o. 5!Kj). To face IK 194. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 195 INDEX. (77(6 Roman numerals refer to the pages of the Introduction, the Arabic numerals to the paragraphs of the Inventory.) Achairn, Upper, 535. Achalibster Hill, 119. Acliaiiarras, 99. Aclianarras Hill, xlv, 130, 131, 132, 141. Acliaraskill, 242. Achardale, 177. Acharole, .xxii, xxxii, 466, 484. Achastle, 188. Achavar, 199. Achavarn, 112. “ Achbuiligan Tulloch,” Upper Doiiin'eay, 350. Acliiebraeskiall, 368. Acliies, Harpsdale, 97, 98, 180. Achingale, 473. Achkinloeh, xlv, 278, 293. Aclilochau Moss, 102, 118. Achnaclyth, xl, 235, 236, 237, 257, 258. Achnagoul, 266. Achorn, 214, 259. Achow, 208. Achreaiiiie, 371. Ach.scoraclate, 168. Achscrabster, 181. Achunabust, 351. Achvarasdal, xlvi, 352, 353, 403, 404. Ackergill, 532, 590. Ackergill Tower, xxx, 494. Dove-cots at, 494. Allt an Duin, Berriedale, xxxii, 203. Allt Ard Achaidb, Berriedale, 270. Allt iia’ Buidhe, 271. Alterwall, 17. Altrie, Lord, 494. “An Dim,” Allt an Duin, Berriedale, xxxii, 203. “An Dun,” Borgue, xxxvii, 223. “ Appnag Tulloch,’’ Forse, 218. Armorial bearings {see Heraldry). Ard, Alexander of, 95. Auckingill, 45, 46, 52. Aukengill Bridge, 477. Aultan, Broubster, 401, 402. Baoklass, xlv, 142, 482. “ Bail a’ chairn,” Acharole, 466. Balantrath, Dunbeath Strath, 213. Balcraggy, 239. Ballachly, Dunbeath, 312. Ballachly, Stemster, 192, 309. Ballentink, 260, 261, 304. Banks of Watten, 465. Bank Street, Thurso, xxxi, 425. Banniskirk, 166. Barrock, 2, 3, 4. Barrock Mill, 591. Barrogill, 44. Barrogill Castle, xxx, 31. Battle Moss, 570. “ Bell Mount,’’ Scrabster, 431. Bell-tower, Latheron, xlvii, 283. Ben Dorrery, xxxviii, 156, 157, 158. Ben Freiceadain, xxxvi, xxxviii, xliv, 354, 361. Berriedaill, John, Master of, 495. Berriedale, xxxii, xxxviii, 203, 205, 207, 231, 269, 270. Berriedale Castle, 308. Bilbster, 492, 514, 541. Bishop’s Bridge, Thurso, 458. Bi.shop’s Castle, Thurso, 449. Bishop’s Palace, near Braal Castle, 178. Bishop’s Walk, 'Thurso, 449. Bogholle, Laird of, 30. Bollquholly, Magnus, Lord of, 184. Borgue, xxxvii, xlvi, 223, 290. Borgue, Upper, xxxii, 206. Borlum, 397. Borrowston (Wick), 510. Borrowston iilains (Reay), xxxii, 348, 378. Bowermadden, Ha’ of, xxxiv, 22. Bower, Parish of, 1-22. Bowertower, 19. Braal Castle, xxx, 95. Brabsterniire, 87, 57. Brabster Moss, xli, xliv, 5. Braemore, xxxix, 232, 233, 234, 251, 252, 253, 254, 311, 313. Brae na h-Eaglais, 247, 310. Brawlbin, xxxviii, 356, 357, 359, 364, 365, 376, 377, 388. Breac-leathad, Braemore. 233. , Breadalbane, Loid, 498. Bridge of Broubster, 164, 384, 415, 416. ■ “ Brigend’s Swine house,” Moss of I Kilmster, 592. 1 Brims Castle, xxx, 424. Brims Chapel, 422. Brims, Mains of, 447, 454. “Briinside Tulloch,” Lytheniore, 434. British Linen Bank House, Thurso : Stone i basin or Holy water stoup at, 92. I Broadhaven, xxxii, xxxiii, xxxv, 520. Brochs: xxiv-xxvi, xxxi-xxxvi, 1, 2, 3, 33-39, 62, 63, 64, 96-117, 189-222, 318- 323, 344-353, 429-437, 461-475, 499-511, 513-525. Sites of : 18, 19, 22, 52, 53, 54, 83, 84, 171, 179, 180, 313, 314, 315, 455, 588. Relics from {see under Relics re- i covered). Broubster, xlv, 163, 395, 401, 402. 196 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. {The Roman numerals refer to the pages of the Introduction, the Arabic numerals to the paragraphs of the Inventory.) Broubster, Bridge of, 164, 384, 415, 416. Brough, 82. Broughwliin, xli, xliv, xlv, 528, 539, 559, 560, 561, 572. Brounaban, xxxii, xxxiii, 511, 589. Brnan, 193, 194. BuailTia Creige, 305. “ Buaile Oscar,” Ben Freicead.ain, xxxvi, 354. Bucliolie Castle, xxx, 32. Bucliolie, Lairds of, 30, 184. “ Burg Laiigwell,”' 201. “ Burg Kuadh,” Berriedale Water, 207. Burial Aisles ; Latheron Church, 184. Sinclair Aisle, Wick, 493. Burial Grounds {see Grave-yards). Burial Vault and Dove-cot, Stroma, 50. Burn of Houstry, 300. “Burnt Ha’, The,” Bruan, 194. Bylbster, 492. “Cairn Hanach,” Warehouse Hill, xliii, 562. Cairn Hill, Island of Stroma, 59. Cairn Hill, Old Stirkoke, 499. “ Cairn of Dunn,” Old Hall of Dunn, 462. “ Cairn of Elsay,” Staxigoe, xxxii, 521. “ Cairn of Get,” Garrywhin, xli, 559. “ Cairn of Hattel.” Castlehill, 334. “Cairn of Heathercro,” Brabster Moss, xli, xliv, 5. “ Cairn of Humster,” 506. “Cairn o’ Mey,” Barrogill, 44. “ Cairn of Sibmister,” 321. “ Cairn of Ushly,’’ Hastigrow, 6. Cairns associated -with. Stone Rows : Broughwhin, xlv, 560, 561. Dirlot, xlv, 165. Garrywhin, xlv, 558. Cairns, chambered: Round : xliii, 9, 12, 42, 72, 73, 129, 133, 137, 139, 264, 265, 266, 267, 271, 274, 276, 277, 278. 359, 361, 362, 363, 364, 367, 373, 376, 377, 440, 442, 478, 510, 541, 545, 550, 552, 553, 562, 564. Hokned, Round : xli, 372, 374, 556, 559. Hokned, Long: xli, 5, 136, 273, 365, 369, 370, 439, 441, 543, 544, 563. Unhorned, Long: xlii, 10, 135, 138, 324, 482, 589. Cairns of Uncertain Type : 6, 7, 11, 43, 1 •0, 71, 74, 130, 131, 132, 140, 268, 269, 270, , 272, 275, 325, 326, 360, 368, 371, 375, 378, 379, 380, 477, 479, 480, 481, 542, 554, 555. Cairns in which Cists have been found; xliv, 10, 41, 134, 325, 366, 372, 378, 544, 546, 547, 548, 549, 551, 557, 558, 560, 565. Cairns (Sites of); 20, 59, 181, 316, 413, 414, 415, 452, 489, 492, 589, 590. Cairns (Relics from): {see under Relics recovered). “ Cairns of Warehouse,” Warehouse Hill, 550-554. Caithness, Bishops of, 449. Caithness, Earls of, 31, 89, 95, 187, 343, 449, 493, 494, 495, 498. Caithness, John, Master of, 495. Campbell of Glenorchy, 495, 497, 498. Canister, xxxii, xli, 18, 189, 226, 228, 522, 536, 563, 564, 565, 573, 574. Canisbay Church, 23. Tombstones at, 24-30. Canisbay, parish of, 23-60. “ Cam a’ Chladda,” Scouthal, 467. “ Cam Fhionn,” Braemore, 313. Cam Liath, Corriechoich, 314. “Cam Liath,” Achalibster Hill, 119. “ Cam Liath,” Flex Hill, 489. “ Cam Liath,” Leodebest. 273. “Cam na Mairg,’’ Westerdale, xxxii, 105. “ Carney Hillock,” Moss of Tain, 12. Castellated and Domestic Struc¬ tures : Castles, etc. : — Achastle (Langwell Castle), 188. Ackergill Tower, xxx, 494. Barrogill Castle, xxx, 31. Braal Castle, xxx, 95. Brims Castle, xxx, 424. Bucholie Castle, xxx, 32. Castle of Old Wick, xxix, 495. Castle Sinclair, xxx, 497. Dirlot Castle, 94. Dounreay Castle, xxx, 343. Duubeath Castle, xxx, 187. Forse Castle, xxix, 185. Freswiok Castle {see Bucholie). Girnigoe Castle and Castle Sinclair, xxx, 497. Hempriggs House, 496. Keiss Castle, xxx, 498. Latheron Castle, 186. Mey Castle {see Barrogill). “Old Man of Wick” {see Castle of Old Wick). Sites of Castles, etc. ; 58, 82, 178, 305, 306, 307, 308, 449, 456, 457. Town Houses : Bank Street, Thurso, xxxi, 425. Davidson’s Entry, Thurso, 427. Shore Street, Thurso, xxxi, 426. near St Peter’s Church, Thurso 428. Castlehill, Castletown, xxviii, xxxiii, 320, 334, 335. “ Castle Linglas,” Keiss Links, 513. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 197 {The Roman numerals refer to the pages of the Introduction, the Arabic numerals to the paragraphs of the Inventory .) Castle Mestaff, Island of Stroma, 58. Castle of Haimer, 456. Castle of Old Wick, x.\ix, 495. Castle Sinclair, xxx, 497. Castletown, xxviii, xxxiii, 320, 334, 335, 337. Chapel of Raster, 593. Chapels {see Ecclesiastical Structures). Clieyne, Rannald or Reginald, 494, 495. Chisholm, Jean (see Sinclair, John, of Ulbster). Churches (see Ecclesia.stical Structures). Cists, 85, 328, 348, 382, 470, 473, 484, 502, 511, 513, 538. “ Clach Clais an Tuirc,” Achvara.s(lal Burn, 403. “Clach na Ciplicli,” Thulachan, 149. “Clach na Luirg,” Shurrery, xlvii, 162. “Clindrag Tulloch,” Hill of Clindrag, 329. Clow, The, Scouthal, 460. Clyth Castle, Buail ’na Creige, 305. Cnoc an Ratha, Shurrery, xxxvi, 355. “ Cnoc an Taillir,” Sordale Hill, 453. “ Cnoc Donn,” xxxii, 103. Cnoc Freiceadain, xlii, xliv, 369, 370. Cnoc Heara, 307. “Cnoc na ciste,” Sordale Hill, xliv, 442. “ Cnoc na h-Uiseig,” Lower Dounreay, 374. Cnoc na Maranaich, xliv, xlvi, 276. Cnoc Scoot, Dorrery, 155. Coghill (Cogle), 469. Cooper’s Hill, 324. “ Corr a’ chaise,” Bridge of Broubster, 164. “ Cor Tulloch,” Houstry, xxxix, 262. Craigan, The, Strath, 481. Craigton, 411. “ Creagan a’ Bheannaich,” Shurrery, 409. Creag Leathan, Achvarasdal, 352. Crechtoun, Admiral Sir Geo. of Carni.s, 95, 187. Crechtoun, Sir James of Frendraucht, 95. Crosskirk, xxxii, 338, 347, 405. Crosses: Latheron, 298. Lybster, xlvii, 297. Mid Clyth ; Grave-yard, 295. Roadside Farm, 296. Reay Church, xlvi, 340. Skinnet, xlvi, xlvii, 93. Thulachan (“ Clach na Ciplich ’’), 149. Bearino Symisols : Thurso Castle (“ The Ulbster Stone ”), xlvii, 444. Thurso Museum (“ Skinnet Stone ”), xlvii, 445. Rune-Inscribed : Thurso Museum, .xxviii, 446. Market Cross : Reay, 408. Culquhone, Malcolm, of Dunbeath, 187. Cunningham, Janet, 425. Cunningham, John, of Brownhill and Geise, 425. Cup-marked Stones, Nybster, xlvi, 576. Dail a’ Chairn, xl, 255. Dale, 102, 103, 104. Dale House, Dove-cot at, 145. Dalemore, 153. Davidson, Adam, and Katherine Sinclair, his wife : Tombstone of, in St Peter’s Church, Thurso, 420. Davidson’s Entry, Thurso, 427. Defensive Constructions (see Brochs, Forts and Fortitied Enclosures). Dirlot, xlv, 165, 169. Dirlot Castle, 94. Dorrery, 90, 120, 121, 122, 133, 134, 155, 156, 157, 158. Dounreay Castle, xxx, 343. Dounreay (Lower), 343, 374, 413, 414. Dounreay (Upper), xliv, xlv, 372, 397, 399, 400, 417. Dove-cots : Ackergill Tower, 494. Dale House, 145. Forse House, 281. Freswick House, 47. Stemster House, 14. Stroma, Island of, 50. Dunbar, Alexander, 94. Dunbar, Sir Win., 494, 495, 496. Dunbeath, xx, xxxiv, 214, 215, 238. 259, 272, 312. Dunbeath Castle, xxx, 187. Dunbeath Strath, 213, 235, 236, 237, 256, 257, 258, 276, 303. Dunnet, 78. Dunnet Church, 61. Dunnet Head, 74, 88. Dunnet, Links of, 68, 69. Dunnet, Parish of, 61-88. Duns (see Forts). Durran, 332, 436. “ Earl’s Cairn,” Hollandmaik, xliv, 72. Earls Marshal, 185, 494. Earth-houses : Brae na h-Eaglais, Strathy, xxxviii, 247. Ham, xxxviii, 65. Langwell, xxxviii, 246. Easan Burn, 302. Easter Head, Dunnet Head, 74. East Shebster, 385. Ecclesiastical Structures : In Use : Canisbay, xxix, 23. Dunnet, xxix, 61. Ruins : Brims, 422. Dorrery, “ Gavin’s Kirk,” 90. Latheron, 184. Lybster, St Mary’s, xxviii., 338. 198 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. {'Ihc Roman numerals refer to the pages of the Introduction, the Arabic numerals to the paragraphs of the Inventorii.) Ecclesiastical Structures —continued Old Hall of Dunn, 459. Olgiinibeg Burn, St Peter’s, 154. Olrig, St Trothau’s. 317. Scoutlial, The Clow, 460. Skinnet, St Thomas’, xxix, 91. Spital, St Magnus’, 89. Thurso, St Peter’s, xxix, 418. Thurso, W. of, 423. ■\Vick, (St Fergus’), Sinclair Aisle, 493. Sites of : 21, 56, 57, 79, 80, 81, 87, 88, 166-169, 172-177, 309, 310, 311, 312, 331, 332, 333, 409, 410, 411, 412, 490, 491, 592, 593, 594, 595, 596, 597. Effigy in Sinclair Aisle, Wick, 493. Everley, 36. “ Fairy Hillock,” Spital, 100. “ Fairy Hillock,” Wick kiver, 555. Flex Hill, xxxvii, 476, 489. Fonts; St F’ergus’ Chapel, Wick (supposed Font ot), now at U.F. Manse, Pultney- towu, 582. St Peter’s Church, Thurso, 443. St Trostan’s Chapel, Westfield, 159. St Trothan’s Church, Olrig, 317. Footmark : Port an eilein, Shurrery, xlvii, 162. Forbes, Arthur, Lord, 187. Forbes,Alexander, Master of, 187. Forse, xxxix, xlv, 218, 221, 240, 241, 243-245, 263, 282, 287, 294. Forse Castle, xxix, 185. Forse House, Dove-cot at, 281. Forts and Fortified Enclosures: xxxvi, 4, 40, 223, 224, 354, 355, 438, 512, 526, 527, 528, 529. Foundations, 15, 16, 155. Framside, 111. Freswick, 32. • Freswick Bay, 48. FTeswiek House, Dove-cot at, 47. Freswick Links, 34. Galleried Dwellings, xxxix, 248-263. “ Gallow Hill,” Hill of Olrig, 330. “ Gallow Hill,” Sordale Hill, 439. “Gallow Hillock,” Backlass, 482. Gansclet, 501, 566. “ Garadh an Ratha,” Broubster, 395. Garrywhiu, xxxvi, xli, xliv, xlv, 528, 558, 559. “ Gavin’s Kirk,” Dorrery, 90. Gearsay, 472. Hearsay Schoolhouse: relics from Cogle Broch preserved at, 469. Geise, 430. Gerston, 172. Gills, 53. Girnigoe Castle, xxx, 497. Glengolly, xxii. Glenorchy, Lord, 495, 498. Golsary, 220. Gordon, Alexander, 449. Gordon of Straloch, 494. Gordon, Sir Robert, 343, 494. Gravestones {see Tombstones and other Memorial Slabs). Graveyards, 87, 166, 167, 177, 309, 310, 311, 409. “ Green Hill,” Roster, 191. Green Hill, Wester Watten, 464. Greenland, Ha’ of, 64. Greenland, Links of, 66, 67, 71, 77. “Green Tullochs,” Borrowston Mains, xxxii, 348. Greenvale, 85. “Grey Cairn,” Lynegar, 471. “ Grey Cairn,” West Shebster, 380. “ Grey Cairns of Camster,” 563, 564. “ Greysteil Castle,” Loch Rangag, 222. Groat Family: Memorial .slab and Tombstone, Canisbay, xlvii, 25, 26, Groat’s House, John o’, 55. Groat’s Loch, 572. Guidebest, xliv, 279. Gun : Magnus, Tombstone of, in Reay Churchyard, 342. Gunn Clan, Burial place of, at Spital, 89. Gunn, Crowner, 306. Gunns and Keiths at St Tear’s Chapel, 595. Gunn’s Castle, BuaiP na Creige, 305. “Gunn’s Hillock,” Barrock, 2. “Gunn’s Hillock,” or “The Burnt Ha,” Bruan, 194. Haimer, 456. Halberry Castle, 306. Halcro, 1, 5. Halkirk, xliii, 129. Halkirk Church, 173. Halkirk, Parish of, 89-183. Halsary, 486, 487. Ham, xxxviii, 65, 80, 86. Ha’ of Bowermadden, xxxiv, 22. Ha’ of Duran, 436. Ha’ of Greenland, 64. Harpsdale, 180. Haster, 593. Hastigrbw, 6. Heathercro, xli, xliv, 5. Hempriggs, 504, 540. Hempriggs House, 496. Heraldry: Canisbay : Arms on Memorial Slab in Church¬ yard, 28. Arms on Memorial Slab to Mr James limes. Minister of Canisbay, in Churchyard, 29. Arms on Memorial Slab to Isobel Mouat, in Church-yard, 30. Castle Sinclair : Supporters of Arms and carved stones, now at Ackergill Tower, 497. INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS, ETC., IN COUNTY OF CAITHNESS. 199 {The Toman numerals refer to the pages of the Introduction, the Arabic numerals to the paragraphs of the Inventory.) Heraldry— continued Hempriggs House : Armorial Tablet with Arms of Dunbar and Sinclair, now at Ackei'gill Tower, 496. Keiss Castle : Shield with Sinclair Arms, now at Barrock House, 498. Reay : Arms on Mackay (of Bighouse) Tablet in Church, 339. Arms on Munro Tablet in Church, 339. Arms of Innes and Johnstone, on Tombstone in Churchyaid, 341. Thurso : Arms of Murray of Clairden on Mantelpiece of House in Bank Street, 425. . Arms on Mantelpiece of House in Davidson’s Entry, 427. Arms on Tombstone of Adam Davidson in St Peter’s Church, 420. Ulbster Mains : Arms of Sinclair of Ulbster on panel of fireplace, 583. Wick : Arms on Memorial Slab to Wife of John Sinclair of Ulbster, in Sinclair Aisle, 493. Hillhead, xxxii, xxxiii, xxxv, 520. Hill of Clindrag, 329. Hill of Lybster, 346. Hill o’ Many Stanes, Mid Clyth, xlv, 292. Hill of Olrig, 330. Hill of Rangag, xlvi, 284, 285, 286. Hill of Ulbster {see Ulbster). Hill of Whitefield, 326. Hill of Works, xxxiii, 3. Hill of Yarrows {see Yarrows). Holborn Head, xxxvi, 438. Hollandmaik, xliv, 72. Hollandmey, 39. Hopefield, 452. “Housel Cairn,” Halkirk, 115. Houses {see Castellated and Domestic Structures). Houstry, xxxix, 196, 262, 265, 300. Houstry, Newlands of, 197, 227. Houstry School, 291. Hoy, 179, 435. Huishnish, Uist, primitive dwellings at (cited), xl. Hunsbnry, Northatnptonshire, pierced skull from (cited), xxxv. Hunspow, 70. Hut Circles, xxxvii, 66, 67, 68, 69, 118-128, 155, 225-245, 356, 357, 358, 476, 530-539. Innes : Arms of, on Tombstone, Reay Church¬ yard, 341. Elizabeth {sec Sinclair, James). Mr James, Minister of Canisbay ; Memorial Slab to, in Canisbay Church¬ yard, 29. Innes, Alexander, 187. Inscriptions ; On Tombstones or other Memorial Slabs ; Canisbay, 25, 26, 29, 30. Latheion, 184. Reay, 341. Thurso, 420, 421. Ulbster, 596. Wick, 493. Ogham ; on Sculptured Stone from Keiss Links, 587. On Sculptured Stone from Latheron, 299. Runic : on Cross-slab, Thurso Museum, 446. Isauld, 410. John o’ Groat’s House, 55. Johnstone : Arms of, on Tombstone in Reay Church¬ yard, 341. Keiss Brochs, xxxii, xxxiii, xxxiv, xxxv. 513, 515, 516, 517. Keiss Castle, xxx, 498. Keiss Links, xlvi, 577, 587. Keith, Alexander, Captain of Ackergill, ' 95, 494. Keith, John, 494. Keith of Forse, 185. Keith, Robert, 494. Keiths and Gunns at St Tear’s Chapel, 595. Keiths of Inverugie, 494. Kennedy, Dr, of Carnmuch, 50. “ Kenny’s Cairn,” Warehouse Hill, xliii, 562. Kettleburn, xxxiv, 588. “ Killi Cairn,” St John’s Loch, 70. Kilmster, xxxii, xxxvii, 507, 529. South, 508. Kilns (supposed), 151, 396. Kirk, 21. Kirk Hillock, Reaster, 87. Kirk o’ Banks or Kirk o’ Tang, xxviii, 81. Kirk o’ Mo.ss, Moss of Kilmster, 592. Kirk Tofts, Keiss, 517. Kitchen Middens : 48, 337, 532. Kuockdee, 7, 8. Knockglass, 117, 138, 171, 475. Knockinnon, 216, 264. Knockinnon Castle, 307. Knock Stanger, Sandside, 375. “Knock Urray,” Lower Dounreay, 349. “ Lady’s Brow,” Freswick, 48. Lambsdale Leans, Shurrery, 360. Langwell, xx, xxxvii, xxxviii, xxxix, xl, xli, 200, 224, 229, 230, 246, 247, 250, 267, 268, 301, 310, 315. Langwell Castle (Acha.stlc), 188. Latheron, xlvi, 288, 289, 298, 299. Latheron Bell-tow'er, xlvii, 283. Latheron Castle, 186. Latheron Church, 184. •200 HISTORICAL i\rO\UMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. {The Roman numerals refer to the pages of the Introdaction, the Arabic numerals to the paragraphs of the Inventory.) Latheron, Parisli of, 184-316. Lathei'oii, Upper, 217. Latlieronwheel, 211, 277. Latliei'onwheel, Burn of, xlv, 212. Leodebest, 273, 274, 275. Leosag, 109. Leslie, General, 187. Lieurary, Hill of, 123. Links of Dunuet, 68, 69. Links of Greenland, 66, 67, 71, 77. Links of Old Tain, 331. Lithgow, William, the traveller, at Mey (Barrogill), 31. Loch Calder, xx, xxii, xli, xliv, 112, 125, 126, 135, 136, 137, 160, 161, 373. Lochend, 51. Loch of Bushta, 88. Loch of Yarrows {see Yarrows). Loch Rangag, 222. Loch Stemster, 293. Loch Watenan {see Watenan). Lower Dounreay, 349, 374, 413, 414. Lybster, xxvii, xlvii, 297, 338, 405. Lynegar, 471, 478, 479. Lyth, xxxvii, 4. Lythemore, 434. “ McCole’s Castle,” Loch of Yarrows, 545. Mackay, Angus, of Bigliouse : Arms and inscription, Reay Church, 339. Makky, Odo, alias Y, 94. Mantelpieces : Carve