Description

The monument is a group of earthfast stones, aligned in rows, thought to date from the Bronze Age (2500 to 800 BC). Within Scotland, stone rows are a site type only found in Caithness and Sutherland. The monument is located on a southeast facing slope within moorland and lies around 90m above sea level.

The monument is visible as at least 12 small earthfast stones, typically measuring around 0.4-0.5m in height and similar in width, set out over two parallel alignments. The stone rows run for approximately 8m and the rows are about 1-1.5m apart. An early survey of the monument, in 1909, recorded at least 17 earthfast stones running in two rows for a length of around 13.5m. The monument is located on open moorland and set upon a slope on the north side of the Strath of Kildonan. The site offers views across the valley floor to the southeast, south and southwest while the hillside to the northwest and north overlooks the monument.

The scheduled area is irregular on plan and includes the remains described above and an area around them within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The monument was first scheduled in 1940, but the documentation did not meet current standards: the present amendment rectifies this.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to make a significant addition to our knowledge and understanding of the past, particularly the design and construction of stone rows in Caithness and Sutherland. The stone rows at Torrish Burn have good field characteristics, allowing us to interpret their form and position in the landscape. The site has potential for the presence of buried archaeological remains, including artefacts and palaeoenvironmental evidence. There are numerous other broadly contemporary monuments in the vicinity, including other stone rows and prehistoric settlements, which together can contribute to our understanding of the form of the prehistoric landscape.  This is important for enhancing our understanding of Bronze Age society, its organisation, economy and beliefs. The loss of the monument would significantly diminish our future ability to appreciate and understand the use of stone rows and their role and function within the prehistoric communities which constructed them.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

Historic Environment Scotland http://www.canmore.org.uk reference number CANMORE ID 7898 (accessed on 17/02/2016).

Highland Council HER http://her.highland.gov.uk/ reference number MHG40080 (accessed on 17/02/2016).

Baines and Brophy, A and K. (2006) Battle Moss, Highland (Wick parish), excavation', Discovery Excav Scot, vol. 7, 2006. Dorchester. Page 103.

Baines, Brophy and Pannett, A, K and A. (2003) Yarrows Landscape Project/Battle Moss Stone Rows (Wick parish), multiple stone rows; kerb cairn; lithic scatter', Discovery Excav Scot, vol. 4, 2003. Pages 94-5.

Barber and Heald, J and A. (2015). Caithness Archaeology: Aspects of Prehistory. Whittles Publishing, Dunbeath.

Burl, A. (1993). From Carnac to Callanish: The Prehistoric Stone Rows and Avenues of Britain, Ireland and Brittany. Vale University Press, London.

Davis, A. (1986). 'The Metrology of Stone Rows: A Reassessment'. Glasgow Archaeological Journal, volume 13. Pages 44-53.

Freer and Myatt, R and L J. (1982-5). 'The multiple stone rows of Caithness and Sutherland: Volumes 1-4'. Caithness Field Club Bulletin.

RCAHMS. (1911). The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Scotland. Third report and inventory of monuments and constructions in the county of Caithness. London. Pages: 117-8.

Ruggles, C. (2003). Records In Stone: papers in memory of Alexander Thom. Cambridge University Press.

Thom, A. (1971). Megalithic lunar observatories. Oxford.

Canmore

https://canmore.org.uk/site/6983/

HER/SMR Reference

http://her.highland.gov.uk/SingleResult.aspx?uid=MHG40080

Source: Historic Environment Scotland