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Latitude: 58.9919 / 58°59'30"N
Longitude: -3.0301 / 3°1'48"W
OS Eastings: 340903
OS Northings: 1012097
OS Grid: HY409120
Mapcode National: GBR L4WZ.2MV
Mapcode Global: WH7C3.F8B2
Entry Name: Wideford Hill,chambered cairn
Scheduled Date: 28 June 1994
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Source ID: SM90315
Schedule Class: Cultural
Category: Prehistoric ritual and funerary: chambered cairn
Location: Kirkwall and St Ola
County: Orkney Islands
Electoral Ward: West Mainland
Traditional County: Orkney
aThe monument consists of a Neolithic chambered cairn situated on a steep W-facing hillside NW of the summit of Wideford Hill. The W- facing location is unusual, but the site commands a fine outward view over the lands of Firth and the sea, and looks towards the cairns of Cuween and Rousay. The cairn had been emptied many years before it came to recent antiquarian notice. A concrete roof with an entrance by ladder has been provided to allow visitor access. The monument is in the care of the Secretary of State. The cairn is almost circular on plan, and is formed in at least three concentric thicknesses, with the revetment walls of each very carefully constructed. The entrance passage faces W. It is very low and narrow, and the modern access does not use it. The rectangular main chamber and three subsidiary chambers are all well-built, with massive lintels over their entrances. The main chamber narrows as it rises while the subsidiary chambers are corbelled. The plan of the chambers places Wideford Hill in the Maeshowe group of cairns. The area to be scheduled is that within the boundary fence. It is rectangular, 35m E-W by 28m N-S, as marked in red on the accompanying map. The boundary fence and concrete roof are included.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
The monument is of national importance as a fine field example of a Neolithic chambered tomb, of the Maeshowe group of Orkney cairns. It has an unusual W'facing location. Although the chamber has been emptied, the cairn itself may contain important information about the methods of tomb construction, while the old ground surface sealed below it may contain important information, accessible to excavation and analysis, about Neolithic land'use.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Bibliography
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Historic Environment Scotland Properties
Wideford Hill Chambered Cairn
https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/wideford-hill-chambered-cairn
Find out more
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
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