Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 112 (1982), 518-586

Shorter Notes

The Island of Muckle Skerry, HunterDockrilJ R S J d *an l

Muckle Skerr mose th s tyi northerl foue th rf yisland o Pentlan e th n si d Skerry group which lie between the N coast of Caithness and the island of , Orkney. The three other islands, Little Skerry, Louther Skerry and Clettack Skerry are small by comparison and are barely more than outcrop e Rousath f o sy Flags which constitut e locath e l geology. Muckle Skerry (ND 4678) has a surface area of approximately 0-5 sq km and is protected on all sides by steep cliffs and rock platforms which are exposed at low water. The island is almost plateau-like in appearanc e topographth d an e uneventfus i y l wit hdifferenca f leso e sbetwee m tha 5 1 n n highese th lowesd an t t surface points surface Th . turs ei f covered throughou stild an lt supplies limited grazing facilitie r sheep resula sfo s f stronA .o t g tidecurrentd an s Pentlane sth d Firth has been a notorious region for maritime disasters throughout history and a was constructe Muckln o d e Skerr earls ya s 179ya 4 (Wilso lighthouse n 1975Th . 4) , e systemw no , modernized and modified, stands within a complex of buildings and walled enclosures formerly used by the keepers and their families and dominates the island. The system is currently manned by a permanent staff of three. Considering the difficulties of approach to Muckle Skerry even using modern vessels and aids, access in antiquity is likely to have been a formidable obstacle to any form of settlement or activity. Despite this however, survey wor Royae kth carriey lb Commissiot dou Anciene th n no t and Historical Monument f Scotlano s d (RCAMS e Ordnancth d an ) e Surve identified yha a d number of sites which suggested that the island was unexpectedly rich in archaeological remains. numbeA f observationro sBlack recordeA r M formea , y db r lighthouse keepe keed an rn anti- quarian, supported thi islanRaymonr e s D visi th a vie y d o b t w an d Lamb Archaeologicaw no , l Orknee Officeth r fo ry Heritage Society mucd di , confiro ht wealte archaeologicae mth th f ho l environment. The official survey visits had been of relatively short duration and in August 1981 smala l expeditio mountes nwa carro dt t moryou e detailed surve yinvestigato t wor d kan e eth possibility of additional monuments. A total of 30 monuments were subsequently identified (fi, approximatelg1) y twic numbee eth r already known thesd individualle an , ear y detailee th n di index below. It is difficult to ascribe many of these monuments to any specific phase of antiquity. The number of recorded chance finds are few and give little scope to interpret the breadth of chronology on the island. Published evidence shows only the discovery of fragments of an Early Iron Age pottery vessel (Longworth 1963) and the remains of a likely Viking Age bone comb with associated pottery (Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 70 (1935-36), 393). In neither instance is the find spot on the island accurately defined. Accordin Black'o gt s observations (RCAMS 1946 , 365-6ii , ) midden material

* School of Studies in Archaeological Sciences, University of Bradford SHORTER NOTES 519

MUCKLE SKERRY Site Survey 1981

' site reference points

/ linear earthworks

FIG 1

was encountered more frequently although detailed surveclife th f f sectioyo n produced onle yon indisputable example. erodeThi m alony 0 sla 5 d ga sectioe sidth cliff N nf o eo e f th fac n eo island (site 4) where shell midden and fallen stonework were clearly visible in the turf subsoil and where a modern drystone duck-hide had been superimposed over existing stone slab features. These wer f unknoweo deposite extene n th th dat f t o te bu s suggeste aren d a f considerabl ao e settlement. Manmonumente th f yo s investigated fore wer th f mounds mo n e i evidencd an , f theieo r function or type could rarely be determined even with a presence of stone features protruding through the turf. To some extent this problem had been alleviated by previous activity (or plunder) severad mounde an th f alreadd o l sha y been entered thus exposing internal features. Thref eo these showe remaine dth slab-linef so r walledo d cavities likel represeno yt t burial areas. Those of site 3 and 25 were approximately 2-5 m x 2-0 m and 1-0 m x 0-5 m respectively while that of site 2 was somewhat larger being approximatel Additionall. m 3 x m y3 y this mound showed traceo tw f so parallel line f uprigho s t slab t lessse s than 1- apar0m t running southward t leasa r ts fo 11-. 0m Of further interest was the presence of a number of partially visible uprights set in the area between sites 2 and 3. Only one of these exposed mounds showed any positive evidence of stone settings in the turf cover, site 25 exhibiting sub-rectangular alignments on the western face. Six of the remaining undisturbed mounds also bore traces of protruding stones although it 520 j PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY, 1982 was rarely possibl determino et e whether these wer situ,n ei collapsed feature parr caira s o f o tn composition. Mound sites 6 and 7 both featured seemingly random stone settings although the latter containe ddominana t upright slab approximatel higm c h0 y6 positione d roughle th n yi centre and close to a fallen slab of similar dimensions. Site 6 showed a noticeable depression at the summit. This was approximately 2-0 m in length with a small upright slab positioned at either end. A similar feature was observed on a further mound, site 5. Less definite features were discernible on site 14 although traces of a possible stone setting around the edge of the mound were noticed. The two other mounds in this group, sites 12 and 13, both showed slight traces of protruding slabs. Thero reason s i eo sugges nt t that these monuments were anything other than burial mounds. Their apparent intact surviva likels i l havo yt e bee resule nth f theio t r relativelw ylo profile (between 0-5 and 1-Om in height) and generally amorphous contours. They contrast sharply wit e enterehth d mounds which stand between d 2-1- hig00an m h with more definite extremities and they take a more dominant (and attractive) position on the landscape. One monumen exception a t likele b lowa o s thiyo t nt , swa partl y denuded mound (sit ) where8 e removal of turf cover had revealed a small complex of upstanding slabs and stone features likely represeno t t some for habitationf mo featuree Th . s were concentrate aren a an d i approximatel y 7 m x 7 m with a central space and a possible entrance to the NW. Animal action may have been partly responsible for the erosion of turf cover but it seems likely that the initial exposure was the resul excavationf o t . Simila t lesrbu s prolific stone features were e alsth of o discovere E S e th o dt island (site 23) protruding from the edges of a low, barely detectable mound. These consisted of two groups of upright slabs, the largest example being some 80 cm in length and 25 cm deep partially conceale smala n di l depression surroundine Th . g area containe dnumbea f largo r e slabs lying among the turf, several being over 1 m x 1 m in size. Additionally, the immediate vicinity reveale uprigho dtw t slab t approximatelsse y 2- apar5m t (sit simila) e24 thoso rt e encountered . o6 n d sitean s5 Twelve further mounds produced little evidence for interpretation. Sites 10 and 11 probably belon specifia o gt c grou remainde e islanburiaf e pth o th t f do bu l lese moundS rar se easth n yso groupee b n ca d) assigno t togethe22 d .an Fivbeins 1 ra 2 thes f e, o g 18 etypologicall , (site17 , s9 y similar being oval in form ranging in length between 16 and 28 m and in breadth between 9 and eacn I . 1h6 m cas highese eth t moune pointh slightlf y o tlonde la th gf yaxiso towardd .en e son There seemed to be no geological reason for their presence and indeed there was significant vegetational difference between the mound surface and the surrounding grassland. Two smaller mounds of similar proportion were also identified (sites 19 and 20). three Th e remaining moun islane th f do monumentadjacenN lighthouse e th th o o t t y sla e complex. Two of these were clearly visible from the ground (sites 29 and 30) and appear to have been utilise houso dt e lighthouse equipmen facilitiesd tan thire identifies Th .d wa (sit ) e28 d from the lighthouse gallery by means of vegetational change. Three linear earthworks were encountered during the survey. The least definable of these was a sub-circular enclosure, open to the W, with a diameter of approximately 35 m (site 15). The acrossm ban betwees 4 kd wa , approximatelan n3 vegetationalls heighn wa i d m yan t1 y distinct fro surroundine mth g area. Sit whic6 e1 h appeare havo dt e been erodewestere th t da n sids ei likely to have represented a sub-rectangular earthwork roughly 65 m x 32 m with a possible internal platform approximatel heightn i m smaly1 A . l curving bank approximatel higm c h0 y3 which had already been observed by Black lying to the NE of the lighthouse complex was inter- preted as a field boundary (site 26). It was approximately 2-5 m in width and was visible for at least 55 m. Black interpreted the bank as being part of the circuit of a broch although there was no other SHORTE1 R NOTE52 | S visible evidence as to why this suggestion should have been made. A length of rock-cut steps and drystone walling slightly to the E may have caused the confusion. These were interpreted as relatin earlieo gt r lighthouse activity. The remaining two sites identified are possibly of ecclesiastical significance. Site 1, located on a narrow headland, was interpreted as being a roughly rectangular stone-built structure sizn i e m wit 5 lon e x h th 1 g3m axis e taperinorientateTh . (fi2) g gW structure fordE/ th f mo e appeare havo dt e bee nreflectioa onle th yf navailablo e flat ground surface. Probing suggesteda stone flagged floor and there was also evidence of small upright facing slabs on the interior of the

Muckle Skerry

Possible ecclesiastical remains

SITE 1

SITE 27

1 "*V- '•'•'•'•>' 4^ 'CH«ml>«i'

FIG 2 522 | PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY, 1982 drystone walling entire Th . e structur turf-covereds ewa . Both alignmen situatiod an t n suggested ecclessiatican a l structure, althoug overale hth l dimension favours it ssit e n weri et Th . appear eno s to have been described as 'St Peter's Chapel' (Clouston 1918, 223) although the same name has also been applie differena o dt t monumen islane th considerabld n do t an (sit ) e27 e confusios nha arisen. This site consiste openen a f do d mound approximatel m3 1 whicx m h5 y 2 reveale o dtw apparently conjoined internal 'chambers' showeW .e Thath d o considerablt e collaps stonef eo - work and an area some 4 m in diameter was suggested. To the E an area approximately 2-5 m x 2-5 m was visible with drystone walling standin heigha go t almosf to t 1- (fi. Genera0m g 2) l dilapidation prevented detailed analysis of the features although the interpretation of perhaps an oratory and living cell coul proposede db moune . Approximatelth f o d E furtheN m r3 y1 stonewor s kwa discovere fore th severaf m o dn i l upright slabs apparently leading toward mounde sth . These were simila featura o rt e observed adjacen site buriaeth 2 o t l mound discussed above possibilite Th . y of a prehistoric monument reused in a later Christian capacity was therefore a possibility although proo thif o f s might onl gainee yb excavationy db .

INDE SITEF XO S §Site 1. (ND 46427849). Remains of sub-rectangular stone-built structure cl3mx5m. Long axis aligned E/W. Probable flagged floor and drystone walls faced on inside with upright slabs. Turf covered with considerable tumble to S and E. Possible ecclesiastical structure. Fig 2. OA 496o Rn . 46387844)D (N . LonSitem . 3 g2 1 .axi x Mounsm aligne5 1 dc d E/W. Heigh Entere. m 2 tc d fromW exposing internal cavity c 3 m x 3 m formed by upright slabs and loose walling. Two lines of upright slab leadinS so t el gm m(? 1 moundo 1 )t apar c t tse . Possible passage498o n .R ?OA 46337843)D (N §Site . 3 . Mound c!2m diameter. Height cl-5m. Entere t centrda e exposing sub- circular cavity c 2-5 m x 2-0 m formed by loose walling and large upright slab c 1-2 m long and 0-9 m deep to S. Further upright c 1-3 m long and 0-6 m deep aligned E/W near centre. OAR no 508. Site 4. (ND 46267843 midpoint). Eroded cliff section of length c 50 m revealing shell midden and fallen stonework within turf subsoil. Modern stone duck-hide superimpose earlien do r stone features. Likely settlement area. Site 5. (ND 46227834). Mound c 10-5 m x 8-5 m. Long axis aligned E/W. Height c 0-5 m. Two small facing uprights visibl apartm e2 . Possible mound edge slabs 502 o evidentn .R OA . 46177837)D (N §Site . 6 . Eroded mound with lon alignegm 1 axi1 sc d E/W. Heigh 0-. c tSevera 5m l fallen slabs apparent. Depressio lengt n t summii na m h2 witc t h small upright facing slat ba eithe 509o n r. R endOA . 46157835)D (N . §SiteLonm . 1 7 g1 .axix Mounsm aligne4 1 dc d E/W. Heigh 0-. c tSevera 8m l thin uprights visible. Dominant uprigh neat tse r centr 0- 0-ex aligne c 6 6m m witS dhN/ fallen stone of similar dimension s509 o nearbyn .R OA . 46077830)D (N §Site . 8 . Moun diameterm 8 dc . Height less than 0-. Entere5m t centrda e revealing comple stonf xo e slab features particularl . CleaN o yt r central area with possible entranco et NW. Domestic structure? OAR no 510. 46047825)D (N Site. Lon . m 9 3 g1 . x axiMounm s 3 alignedc2 d E/W. Height cl-Om. Summit towards E. Site 10. (ND 46197809). Mound c 9 m x 6 m. Long axis aligned E/W. Height less than c 0-5 m. Site 11. (ND 46227809). Mound c 9 m x 7 m. Long axis aligned E/W. Height less than c 0.5 m. 46237810)D (N Site . 12 . Moundiameterm 1 1 dc . Height les ssmal e thaOn n0-l. c protrudin5m g slab visible. 46257807)D (N Site. 13 . Lon. Mounm 9 g x axi d1c 1 m s aligned N/S least .A Heigh. t m fou 1 rtc small protruding slabs visible. §Site 14. (ND 46287807). Mound c 18 m x 12 m. Long axis aligned E/W. Height less than c 1 m. Several small protruding slabs visible. Evidenc possiblf eo e edg 511o en slabs.R .OA Site 15. (ND 46387815). Sub-circular earthwork of c 35 m diameter. Width of bank c 3-4 m and height Enclosur. m 1 c e Significan. opeW no t t vegetational difference from surrounding area. SHORTER NOTES | 523 Site 16. (ND 46477809). Sub-rectangular earthwork eroded to W. Estimated dimensions c 65 m x 32 m retaining internal platform less than elm high. 46547807)D (N Site. 17 . Mound c24mxl2m. Long axis aligned NE/SW. Height elm. Summit towards NE. Site 18. (ND 46667807). Mound c!6mx9m. Long axis aligned E/W. Height elm. Summit toward. sE 46637817)D (N Site. 19 . Moun. Lonm 5 g x daxi 1c 0 m s aligned NE/SW wally b t . Heigh.Cu 0-. c t 5m Site 20. (ND 46647817). Mound c 4 m x 4 m. Cut by wall. Height less than c 0-5 m. Site21. (ND 46697813). Mound c28mx!6m. Long axis aligned NE/SW. Height elm. Summit toward. sSW Site22. (ND 46717817). Mound c28mxl5m. Long axis aligned NE/SW. Height elm. Summit toward. sSW 46937815)D (N §Site . 23 . Moun amorphouf do s form. Height les sgroupo thaTw 0-nuprighf . c s o 5 m t slabs visible. Largest sla 0- 0-c b c dee 3lon 9m m d pgan partially conceale depressionn di . Area of large flat slabs the largest c 1 m x 1 m lying in vicinity. Probably settlement site. OAR no 499. Site 24. (ND 46897818). Stone feature. Two facing slabs c 0-5 m x 0-5 m set 2 m apart on N/S axis. Slab to S fallen. Site 25. (ND 46887839). Mound c 18 m x 12-5 m. Long axis aligned N/S. Height c 2 m. Entered at centre exposing irregularly formed stone-lined hollow c 1 -0 m x 0-5 m and 0-4 m deep. Series of upright slabs visible on W side of mound set in sub-rectangular formations. §Site 26. (ND 46847843). Curving earthen bank c 0-3 m high and visible for c 55 m. Probable field boundar 506o n dyker .yR o OA . §Site 27. (ND 46627841). Mound c 25 m x 13 m. Long axis aligned NE/SW. Height c 2 m. Entered at centre exposing apparentl conjoineo diameteytw W showine m th d 4 o rc cellst e g collapse,on d stonework and one sub-rectangular to the E c 2-0 m x 2-5 m with evidence of drystone walling to depth of c 0-5 m. Upright slabs observed c 13 m to NE apparently leading to mound. Passage? Likely prehistoric monument reuse foro dt m possible ecclesiastical structure consistinf go 497o oratory(?n .R OA cell(?) d . 2 ) an g Fi . 46587848)D (N Site . 28 . Eroded mound visible only from lighthous resuls ea vegetationaf o t l change. Diamete . Probablm 0 1 rc y par grouf o t p. wit30 hd sitean 9 s2 46567847)D (N Lon. Site. m 0 29 g 1 .axi x Mounsm aligne2 1 dc d E/W. Height less than elm. Slight depression in centre. Appears to have been utilized for lighthouse workings. OAR no 503. . Lonm 0 g1 Site x axi . Mounm 30 s 3 aligne1 c d d NW/SE. Height less than elm. Some stonework visible but presence of cement and modern features suggests reuse for lighthouse workings. OAR no 503. § Denotes site previously recorded by RCAMS.

Two small mounds recorded by the Ordnance Survey during their visit in 1973 at ND 46647821 (OAR no 501) and at ND 46877843 (OAR no 504) were not identified. Strangely, site 25 was recorded by neither body and there may be some possible confusion between this site and the latter of the two undiscovered Ordnance Survey sites above. Nevertheless it is curious that neither commented on the fact that the mound had been opened. This suggests that entry taked ha n place after 1973.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors are indebted to Dr Raymond Lamb who did much to organize the expedition and to provide existing site information and advice. Thanks are also due to the lighthouse staff whose friendly assistance made living conditions bearable and to Mr Hamish Moat and his crew for ensuring safe passag botn ei h directions survee Th . y coul t havdno e taken place withoue th t group of volunteers who endured miserable conditions, and their fortitude and enthusiasm is gratefully acknowledged. 34 52 | 4PROCEEDING S OF THE SOCIETY, 1982 REFERENCES Clouston, JS 1918 'Old Chapels of Orkney', Scot Hist Rev (1918), 233. Longworth, I H 1963 'Early Iron Age Vessel from Muckle Skerry', Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 96 (1962-3), 354-5. OAR Orkney Archaeological Records. Maintained by the Orkney Heritage Society, 48 Junction Road, Kirkwall, Orkney. RCAMS 1946 Royal Commissio Anciene th Historican d no an t l Monument Scotlandf so , Orkneyd an , Edinburgh. Wilson, B 1975 The of Orkney. Stromness, The Society indebtedis Scottishthe to Development Department (Ancient Monuments) for granta towards publicationthe thisof note