Description

The monument consists of the remains of a substantial settlement,

partly in the form of a large mound, lying above the shore to the SW

of Housebay.

The most prominent part of the monument is an elongated mound, the

Benni Cuml itself, measuring 70m NE-SW by 18m, and up to 1.8m high.

It has been eroded by the sea and part of a massive curved wall,

rather like that of a broch, may be seen in the shore section. At

least one chamber exists in the mound. The settlement has extended

over a larger area than that of the mound alone, as there are traces

of structural walls appearing through the turf on the flat area

around the mound.

The area to be scheduled is irregular in plan, bounded on the NW by

the field wall (which is not included in the scheduling) and on the

SE by the high water mark. It measures 90m NE-SW by a maximum of 35m,

to include the mound and an area around it in which further traces of the settlement are likely to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as a very substantial prehistoric settlement which is likely to be of Iron Age date, either a broch with external settlement or something closely related. It has the potential, through excavation and analysis, to provide information relating to the pattern and development of later prehistoric settlement in northern Scotland, and to Iron Age domestic and agricultural organisation and economy.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

The monument is recorded by the RCAHMS as HY 62 SE 11.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland