Unyatuak

Also known as:
Unyatank and Unyatauk
Nearest town:
Kirkwall (12km SW)
OS reference:
HY5232719811
OS sheet:
6
Latitude:
59° 3' 46.18 N
Longitude:
2° 49' 53.02 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Unyatuak (Artificial Mound) by Ravenfeather

Photo taken 4th June 2013. Loking from the mound of Unyatuak across Veantrow Bay.

Image credit: Paul Kesterton
Ravenfeather
Ravenfeather Jun 6, 2013
Image of Unyatuak (Artificial Mound) by Ravenfeather

The denuded central stone structure of the mound, possibly the remains of a modern marker cairn.

Image credit: Paul Kesterton
Ravenfeather
Ravenfeather Jun 6, 2013
Image of Unyatuak (Artificial Mound) by Ravenfeather

Photo taken 4th June 2013. The mound of Unyatuak, with added Oystercatcher!

Image credit: Paul Kesterton
Ravenfeather
Ravenfeather Jun 6, 2013

Articles

Unyatuak

wideford
wideford Jan 10, 2016

Appears as Unyatank on the 1st 25” map, which sounds the more likely name. Even on 2nd 25” it is Unyatauk not Unyatuak. Only seen it from the road, but there appear to be two similar rises ‘behind’ this mound

Unyatuak

Ravenfeather
Ravenfeather Jun 6, 2013

Visited 4th June 2013

On my epic trek around Shapinsay I notice a site enigmatically labelled a ‘mound’ on the OS map. With the sun beating down, and hardly a breeze in the air, I really can’t pass up the chance to visit such a nearby site.

The mound is visible from the road, in a field just behind the house of Bonnyhill. An open gate into a pasture field of long grass allows me tramp up the low rise toward the mound. An Oystercatcher is perched atop the low boulder which is visible on the crown of the mound, but soon takes flight and angrily wheels overhead pipping at me for disturbing his perch.

Canmore describes the site as a circular mound, mostly composed of earth, and likely a burial mound, as the situation is a good one for a barrow, although there is no record of anything having been found there. The cairn material is believed to be more modern. It does feel like it should be a cairn, sited on a prominent raised area, and with stunning views out over the bay, but something here just feels a little mysterious.

Worth a visit if you are passing, especially when the fine weather lets you appreciate the views from the mound, and to ponder what this place once was.

Sites within 20km of Unyatuak

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