Description

The monument consists of two prehistoric burial cairns set on a S- facing slope above a cliffed promontory.

The cairns lie almost N and S. The N cairn is the smaller, and is set on a prominent knoll at the S end of the ridge of the hill called Smir Heog. It is almost circular, with several large stones set on edge around its perimeter, which measures about 6m in diameter. On the ESE side there are three larger earthfast stones, possibly the remains of a short facade, and in the body of the cairn near to this several larger blocks may represent a disturbed burial chamber. 50m away, just E of S, is the second, larger cairn. This is obscured by vegetation and peat, but is either square or heel-shaped, and about 10m across. A possible facade faces SSE, with a tall stone set at its E end and several larger stones at its W end. There is no trace of a chamber.

The area to be scheduled is a rectangle, 90m N-S by 50m, with its SE corner on the top of the cliffs overlooking Roe Sand. This includes the cairns and an area around in which evidence relating to their construction and use may survive. The area is marked in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as an unusual pair of small burial cairns, set very close together. Individually and as a pair the cairns have the potential, through excavation and analysis, to provide information about prehistoric ritual and funerary practices and, from underlying soils, about contemporary environment and land use. Although apparently funerary, the cairns are set overlooking the sea, and a deliberate or accidental use as navigation markers cannot be excluded.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as HU 27 NE 2 and 4.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland