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Latitude: 59.1784 / 59°10'42"N
Longitude: -2.9808 / 2°58'50"W
OS Eastings: 344040
OS Northings: 1032820
OS Grid: HY440328
Mapcode National: GBR M40G.M7M
Mapcode Global: WH7B5.5KTM
Entry Name: Faraclett Head, stone setting, 670m NW of Faraclett
Scheduled Date: 10 December 2001
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Source ID: SM10189
Schedule Class: Cultural
Category: Prehistoric ritual and funerary: stone setting
Location: Rousay and Egilsay
County: Orkney Islands
Electoral Ward: North Isles
Traditional County: Orkney
The monument comprises a stone setting of prehistoric date, but indeterminate function. The setting consists of two parallel rows of upright slabs, with one end of the arrangement almost blocked by another upright slab.
The two rows of slabs are each approximately 4m long and contain four and three slabs respectively. The rows are c. 1.3m apart and aligned ESE-WNW. All of the slabs are now leaning substantially off the vertical, with no regularity in the direction of tilt. It is now not possible to determine whether they were originally set up exactly in parallel lines.
The tallest surviving slab partially closes the eastern end of the arrangement and stands approximately 0.6m high. Most of the other slabs now stand less than 0.5m in height. The soil cover is thin where sandstone outcrops around the stone setting, but, within the setting, where the ground surface is slightly domed in profile, the soil is c. 0.15m deep.
The stone setting lies in a prominent position within a small, natural amphitheatre. The surrounding terraced landscape prohibits long lines of sight, however, such that the monument is visually isolated.
The area to be scheduled is a circle measuring 16m in diameter centred on the stone setting, to include the setting and an area around it in which evidence for the construction, primary use and any secondary uses of the monument may survive.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
The monument is of national importance as the remains of a prehistoric stone setting, possibly a small ritual enclosure. It is set within a landscape well populated with contemporary monuments and largely devoid of obvious later activity. It therefore retains considerable potential to provide important evidence about elements of prehistoric ritual and burial practice.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Bibliography
RCAHMS records the monument as HY 43 SW 28.
Reference:
RCAHMS (1982) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. The archaeological sites and monuments of Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre, Orkney Islands Area, The archaeological sites and monuments of Scotland series no 16 Edinburgh, 27, No. 116.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
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