Description

The monument consists of the remains of a broch, an Iron Age defensive dwelling. The monument was formerly known as the Brough of Haughster, and has also been spelled Oxtrow, Oxtro and Oxtra in various descriptions since the early 19th century.

The broch stands to the W of the Stromness to Birsay road. It was excavated in 1847, and produced several burials with associated artefacts of late Iron Age or "Pictish" date, under which was found a broch. The latter is 22m in diameter, with walls 4m thick. The wall is visible, standing up to 5 courses high in a grassy field. There are several chambers within the wall thickness, and the entrance was probably from the NW side. The deposits associated with the broch were remarkable for the presence of several sherds of Roman pottery of Samian type, dating to the late 2nd or early 3rd centuries AD.

The area to be scheduled is circular, 42m across and centred just SSE of the centre of the broch, to include the broch and a small area around in which deposits related to its 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 the remains of a broch with proven archaeological potential. Although partly excavated, it retains great potential to provide further evidence relating to the period of the brochs and succeeding centuries, and in particular about contacts between Orkney and more distant regions.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

The monument is recorded in the RCAHMS as HY 22 NE 4.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland