Description

The monument comprises a pair of prehistoric mounds, the Muckle Heogan and the Little Heogan, located on a low ridge overlooking the S coast of Papa Stour.

The Muckle Heogan lies higher up slope. It is a large mound some 22m N-S by 25m E-W. This rises to about 2m above the surrounding land surface. The mound has been heavily quarried, but appears to be the remains of a very substantial drystone structure, perhaps even a broch.

The Little Heogan lies 80m to the SSW, and slightly lower down the slope. It is a large crescentic mound of burnt stones, which has been partly ploughed down but survives in places to almost 1.6m high.

The area to be scheduled falls in two parts. The first is a circle of diameter 50m to include the Muckle Heogan and a small area around it in which associated remains may survive, and the second is a circle of diameter 35m, to include the Little Heogan and a similar surrounding area. These are shown in red on the accompanying map extract.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as a pair of neighbouring mounds which, although rather hard to categorise, appear to represent a substantial settlement structure and a burnt mound. The possibility that the two mounds may be contemporary and associated heightens the importance of each. The monument has the potential to provide information about prehistoric settlement, domestic economy and land-use.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as HU 15 NE 11 and 13.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland