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MHG1007 - Possible Cairn, Hill of Shebster

Summary

Site of possible late neolithic-bronze age cairn.

Type and Period (1)

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Full Description

On moderately steep S-facing slope of the Hill of Shebster, is a turf and bracken-covered enclosure, measuring internally 16m N-S by 14.5m transversely, which has been scooped 0.7m deep out of the slope in NE. Elsewhere it is bounded by a bank spread from 2-2.5m and up to 0.6m high. The interior follows natural slope although slight levelling may have occurred on lower (SW) side. A narrow gap in SW may be an entrance. In centre of enclosure there is a circular stony mound about 7m in diameter and 0.6m high. The date and purpose of the enclosure and stony mound are unknown, but it has close affinities with disc barrows/cairns in Orkney (e.g. HY20NE 2 - Hill of Ireland) and Wester Ross (e.g. NG82NE 14 - Auchtertyre). Its close proximity to other cairns on the same hill slope (ND06SW 7) enhances this classification.
An early modern field baulk overlies the E tangent of the enclosure and extends S.
Surveyed at 1:10,000. Visited by OS (J B) 6 October 1981.

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Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred ND 0111 6407 (14m by 14m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	ND06SW
Civil Parish	REAY
Geographical Area	CAITHNESS

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