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Brabstermire, Thomsonsfield

Broch (Iron Age)(Possible)

Site Name Brabstermire, Thomsonsfield

Classification Broch (Iron Age)(Possible)

Canmore ID 9304

Site Number ND36NW 1

NGR ND 3285 6993

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/9304

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
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Administrative Areas

  • Council Highland
  • Parish Canisbay
  • Former Region Highland
  • Former District Caithness
  • Former County Caithness

Archaeology Notes

ND36NW 1 3285 6993

(ND 3285 6993) Broch (NR)

OS 6" map, (1960)

This mound, under cultivation, contains the remains of a broch whose dimensions are unobtainable. The mound was partially excavated by John Nicholson, Nybster, and from it were recovered a rotary quern, three water-worn stones, probably loom-weights, and a diminutive cup or hollowed pebble, 2 3/4 by 2 by 3/4ins. With the exception of one of the loom weights, which is in the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland (NMAS), donated by Alexander Sinclair in 1911, these objects are in the possession of Mr Sinclair.

RCAHMS 1911; Proc Soc Antiq Scot 1911.

All that remains of this feature is a low grassy mound of indeterminate diameter, situated in a pasture field. It is now almost ploughed out but a scatter of stones still remains on and around the mound. According to Mr Gunn (Brabster, Canisbay), an excavation was carried out about 50 years ago, revealing sections of a circular wall and many limpet shells. The artifacts found during the excavation by Mr Nicholson, now deceased, and given to Mr Sinclair, also deceased, are now either in the possession of Mr Nicholson's grandson at Nybster or with Mr Sinclair's niece at Dunblane.

Revised at 1:2500.

Visited by OS (R B) 25 February 1965.

The mound containing the remains of a broch measures approximately 35.0m N-S by 21.0m transversely and 0.9m high. It had extended W into the adjacent field, but has been ploughed out.

Surveyed at 1:2500.

Visited by OS (J M) 28 April 1982.

Activities

Publication Account (2007)

ND36 2 BRABSTERMIRE ND/3285 6993

This probable broch in Canisbay, Caithness, was partially explored by John Nicholson of Nybster some time before 1910 at which time parts of a circular wall were uncovered [1]. Nothing is visible now except a low, grassy mound.

Finds included a stone rotary quern, 3 grooved pebbles some 15cm (6in) long –possibly loom weights – and a small stone cup only 7cm (2.75in) long. One of the “loom weights” is in the National Museum [3].

Sources: 1. NMRS site no. ND 36 NW 1: 2. RCAHMS 1911b, 16, no. 37: 3. Proc Soc Antiq Scot 45 (1910-11), 220 (find): 4. Swanson (ms) 1985, 552.

E W MacKie 2007

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