Description

The monument consists of a small artificial island in the loch,together with a partly-submerged causeway linking it to the shore.

The island appears to be of artificial construction, and the surface of it, although heavily overgrown, has traces of drystone walling and much rubble. It is 12m in average diameter, but its base, on the bed of the loch, is over 20m in diameter. A boulder causeway, about 50m

in length, runs SW from the island to the shore of the loch.

The area to be scheduled consists of a circle 30m in diameter, centred on the island, plus an area 20m wide running along the causeway, including an area of the bed of the loch in which evidence relating to the construction and use of the island and causeway may survive, as indicated in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as a rare example, in the Northern Isles, of a type of small island structure much more frequent in the West. Its excavation may reveal important comparative information on late prehistoric domestic and defensive architecture, and its waterlogged site offers the possibility of excellent preservation of organic materials normally lost.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

The monument is recorded in the RCAHMS as HY 32 NW 5.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland