Description

The monument comprises the remains of a late prehistoric settlement, of the type locally known as a "wag", on the N side of the Burn of Swartigill.

The settlement takes the form of a low mound about 20m across, in the top of which are visible remains of solidly constructed drystone wall footings, perhaps for turf buildings. A polygonal chamber, 3.3m to 2.8m across internally, is partly surrounded by the traces of an outer wall, giving the appearance of a two-skinned, earth-cored construction.

Further building remains of similar character are visible to the W. To the N of the feature first described are traces of walls perhaps forming part of an elongated sub-rectangular building, c.7m long by 3m wide. The whole mound is flanked on the N by a low bank of stones, largely covered by turf and heather, which cuts off an area, running down to the burn on both the W and the E.

The structure has similarities to other Caithness structures of the type known as "wags" (probably from Gaelic uamh, a cave), which often comprise a circular or square main building with sub-rectangular annexes. These appear to date from the very end of the Iron Age, and in some cases were also used in medieval and later times. This site's location at a relatively low altitude is unusual, although the surrounding moorland terrain is typical.

The area to be scheduled is irregular, bounded on the S by the burn and on the N by a line drawn 10m outside the outer bank. It is approximately 50m across. The area is shown in red on the accompanying map extract.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as a small but relatively undisturbed example of a typical late prehistoric settlement form, characteristic of East Sutherland and Caithness. It has the potential to provide important evidence about late prehistoric (and possibly later) domestic architecture and about the changing use of marginal land.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as ND 34 NW 42.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland