Description

The monument comprises the footings of a house which may be of Norse-Medieval date.

The remains lie on a SE-facing slope overlooking the sea, NW of the churchyard and ruined chapel of Framgord. Trial excavations in 1980 produced steatite artefacts and pottery consistent with a Norse-Medieval date, although there are some elements which may be slightly earlier. The house remains are grass-covered and aligned NW-SE, up and down the slope.

The internal dimensions are 26m by 4m. To the SE are footings of a smaller rectangular structure aligned more nearly E-W. This is one of a group of houses of similar period in the immediate vicinity, two examples having been excavated, one at each end of Sand Wick, in 1978-80 and in 1994-5.

The area to be scheduled is a rectangle 70m NW-SE by 50m, to include the remains of the house and the smaller structure and an area around them in which evidence relating to their construction and use, and to the agricultural use of the area, is likely to survive. The area is marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as a house of proven Norse-Medieval date, with possible earlier Norse period occupation. It gains additional importance as a member of a group of several such sites on the island of Unst. The important evidence regarding Norse settlement and agricultural economy which this monument can provide could be further expanded by comparative study of the related monuments in the island, several of which are being scheduled at this time.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

Reference:

Stummann-Hansen, S. (1994) Report No. 15. Framgord.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland