Description

The monument comprises the remains of a rectangular house of probable Viking or Norse-Medieval date.

The footings of this house are located on an exposed shoulder overlooking the sea. The turf-covered walls, with many stones protruding along the line of the inner wall-face, form a rectangle with bowed side walls, measuring internally some 12m by between 3m and 3.5m, placing it at the lower end of the range of size for such houses.

The structure is aligned approximately SE-NW, up and down the slope. It has a gap in the lower gable and opposed entrances in the long walls. The remains of a small structure nearby to the N may be later.

The area to be scheduled is a square of side 40m, centred on the house, to include it and an area around in which evidence relating to its construction and use may survive, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as a rare occurrence of a house of probable early Norse date identifiable on field characteristics. 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:

Stumann-Hansen, S. (1994) Report, No. 10. Craba Skerry-North.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland