The Modern Antiquarian. Stone Circles, Ancient Sites, Neolithic Monuments, Ancient Monuments, Prehistoric Sites, Megalithic MysteriesThe Modern Antiquarian

     

Hourston

Crannog

<b>Hourston</b>Posted by widefordImage © wideford
This site is of disputed antiquity. If you have any information that could help clarify this site's authenticity, please post below or leave a post in the forum.
A small island in the Loch of Harray, connected to the shore by a narrow causeway.
Nearest Town:Stromness (11km S)
OS Ref (GB):   HY28891957 / Sheet: 6
Latitude:59° 3' 26.64" N
Longitude:   3° 14' 23.83" W

Added by wideford


Discussion Topics0 discussions
Start a topic



Show map   (inline Google Map)

Images (click to view fullsize)

Add an image Add an image
<b>Hourston</b>Posted by wideford <b>Hourston</b>Posted by wideford <b>Hourston</b>Posted by wideford

Fieldnotes

Add fieldnotes Add fieldnotes
Having started at the south end of the 'Swartland Drovers Road' trail when just past the present sewage station I chanced to see on my left a small unnamed holm at the top of the Loch of Harray. I think this is most likely a crannog like those in the Voyatown and Swannay districts - the present NMRS designation is quite recent, probably interim. A comparison with the Loch of Wasfale in Firth, going by large-scale maps, this islet is roughly the same length but only half the width, giving as very approximate dimensions 35m by 12m but nowhere near as high. Even unaided you can see that a level mound or platform occupies the central half, with its sides gradually going down to loch level. At high zoom my camera shows at least three large stones (one erect) and a couple more at the back (perimeter wall ?). The stepping stones run NNW from at or near the mound's edge. Following on in this direction the 1st 25" shows a circular stone arrangement offshore at at HY28881965, between the holm and the Wasum site (HY28841971). Ruling out an actual stone circle my guess would be that this had been a cairn, but it looks most rum on said map. wideford Posted by wideford
22nd July 2013ce

Miscellaneous

Add miscellaneous Add miscellaneous
Hourston HY21NE 93 - a narrow causeway connects islet to Loch of Harray shoreline. Where it meets the shore there is an NMRS for a probable enclosure wideford Posted by wideford
22nd July 2013ce