Orkney sites in local newspapers 1825-1910 additions
Barnhouse standing stone HY31SW 12
February 21st 1906 “The Orkney Herald” Stallybrass report
Benzieclett HY22SE 54
April 23rd 1904 “The Orcadian” 30’ x 2’9”-3’ x 4’ high N/S aligned curved subterranean passage with niches found on property of Vola
Berstane HY41SE 10
May 10th 1844 “John O’ Groat Journal” cists with bones and a rim-decorated freestone urn found when digging new house foundations at Birstan [sic]
Big Howe, Newbigging ND49NW 5
September 7th 1907 “The Orcadian” long cist with flexed skeleton found at quarry
Birsay
May 18th 1881 “The Orkney Herald” cloth-wrapped skeleton found in the moss, full description with location
Blanster Farm, St.Margaret’s Hope ND447929
July 18th 1903 “The Orcadian” some years ago cist with inverted clay urn over ashes came from mound formerly in fields of farm buildings
Braes of Gorn HY64SE 8
August 23rd 1858 “The Orcadian” 1/2 cinerary urns discovered at Gornside several years previously
St.Mary’s Broch HY40SE 6
August 25th 1908 “The Orkney Herald” copy of description of Broch of Ayre from current “British Birds” magazine
Brodgar standing stones HY31SW 10
February 21st 1906 “The Orkney Herald” Stallybrass report
Broch of Borwick HY21NW 1
December 1st-15th 1906 “The Orcadian” extensive description including that of sea-level chamber
August 13th 1910 “The Orcadian” description
Broch of Burgar, Evie HY32NE 27
March 31st 1825 “The Orkney and Zetland Chronicle” description, finds from clergyman’s son’s [sic] excavation of top of mound being sent by Peterkin to Dr.Hibbert
Broch of Lingro HY40NW 1
December 9th 1871 “The Saturday Herald and Shetland Gazette” one-line description, Roman coins being donated to S.A.S. Museum
Brough of Bigging HY21NW 7
August 13th 1910 “The Orcadian” one-line description of traditional ‘sailor’s graves’ at narrowest [sic] part of brough
ring hoard, Westray
July 21st 1943 “John O’ Groat Journal” 6 heavy precious metal rings (814g total), one of double twisted cord, found in earth by Mr Stewart of Burgh’s workmen, linked to tradition of African captain shipwrecked a century before
Burn of Lushan HY32SW 8
December 4th 1909 “The Orcadian” one-line description
Burrian, North Ronaldsay HY75 SE 3
December 9th 1871 “The Saturday Herald and Shetland Gazette” description of Oghan stone donated to S.A.S. Museum
Carness, St.Ola
description of early kirk traceable by burn along brecks between Carness Farm and Kirkwall, HY32SW 9 referenced
Castle Bloody HY21SE 31
March 28th 1903 “The Orcadian” traditionally laid siege to St.Mary’s Kirk
Cauldhame, Stromness
March 23rd 1910 “The Orkney Herald” short cist with two skulls found in clay & stone round cairn at base of stone quarry [?Burnside HY24201303]
Clouduhall cairn ND48NW 3
July 11th 1903 “The Orcadian” Ordnance men levelled mound ~20 years before because of height [lies alongside road]
Clouduhall standing stone ND48NW 1
July 11th 1903 “The Orcadian” one-line description
Comet Stone HY21SE 13
February 21st 1906 “The Orkney Herald” Stallybrass report
Crantit HY40NW 3
October 23rd 1909 “The Orcadian” excavation of double cist found June 1908, likened to HY40NW 4 ~11 chains away
Crantit souterrain HY40NW 5
January 13th 1854 “John O’ Groat Journal” mentioned
Cumminess HY21SE 17
October 19th 1907 “The Orcadian” cairn mentioned
Dounby HY22SE 12
October 12th 1838 “John O’ Groat Journal” cist with skeleton and grey marble ‘mallet’found ~200yds from Downby farm-house
August 1839 “The Orkney and Shetland Journal and Fisherman’s Magazine” one-line description inc. granite ‘mallet‘
Dounby HY22SE 32
June 20th 1896 “The Orcadian” 2 burnt mounds close by well of Whilchow [~ HY29672092], cist found “lately” nearby
Dwarfie Stone HY20SW 8
January 1st 1898 “The Orcadian” one-line description
June 22nd 1901 “The Orcadian” description, cramps previously picked up under western base
Earl’s Bu, Orphir HY30SW 2
December 17th 1902 “The Orkney Herald” wall excavated 1899 to present, site under 5’ of dbris inc. bones & shells & ashes, comb was found
Earl’s Palace, Birsay HY22NW 6
March 7th 1903 “The Orcadian” grave of St.Magnus was in floor of church after removal of body from Gairsay to Earl’s Palace
East Broch of Burray ND49NE 1
August 18th 1854 “John O’ Groat Journal” baked clay cup and whale wheel excavated
Fresh Knowe HY21SE 12
August 18th 1854 “John O’ Groat Journal” excavation
September 16th 1908 “The Orkney Herald” excavation trench on top of mound from early 1860’s levelled up
Graemeshall ?HY40SE 9/40
May 13th 1896 “The Orkney Herald” long cist with skeleton found where old farmhouse stood, bones found recently on N side of house min.300 years old, in ~1879 headless skeleton found under old millstone on S side of old hall courtyard
Grain HY41SW 19
January 13th 1854 “John O’ Groat Journal” mentioned
Hermisgarth, Sanday ?HY64SE 15
August 17th 1880 “The Orkney Herald” building and underground chamber excavated & to be removed
Highbreck, Orphir HY30NE 17
February 13th 1907 “The Orkney Herald” steatite and flagstone urn with burnt bones found at Highbrake [sic], located ~36’ from the public road’s north side & ~52’ W of the 7th milestone, within ~80 yards of the Greystone on the top of slight glacial moraine
Highbreck, Orphir ~HY360067
February 11th 1891 “The Orkney Herald” short cist with burnt bones found then steatite and “clay slate” urn 10 paces away, located ENE of Highbreck & NW of Smoogro ~120yds from road on southern slope of heathery ground
Highbreck ‘fort’, Orphir HY361167
February 11th 1891 “The Orkney Herald” circular building between HY30NE 17 and main road, finds previous year inc. grooved muller
Hillock of Fea ND49NE 7
November 6th 1909 “The Orcadian” Picts’ House well-preserved despite being robbed for building material, showing traces of three circling walls
Hillock Road, Shapinsay HY52SW 3
March 21st 1885 “The Orcadian” cist with skeleton ~300yds from shore near Ness
Hill Trows/ the Knowes, Cross
February 30th 1907 “The Orcadian” largest of 6-8 mounds has ring round it and deep ditch, urns & cists & burnt stones found in area
a holm of Papa Westray
October 17th 1854 “John O’ Groat Journal” graves with human skeletons and animal bones (some extinct) opened previous week
Hunclett HY40NE 6
May 14th 1898 “The Orcadian” mentioned as found but not excavated, Taversoe Tuick referenced
Kirk of Forsewell
August 13th 1910 “The Orcadian” mentioned along with HY21NW 6 as near knoust of Bigging
Kirk o’ Kirkgoe HY32SW 9
March 21st 1903 “The Orcadian” one-line description
December 4th 1909 “The Orcadian” description
knowe of Bulic, Stenness
October 14th 1908 “The Orkney Herald” implements inc. arrowheads mentioned as found previously in mound
Knowe of Esgarth HY22SE 11
June 20th 1896 “The Orcadian” Æsgar farm nentioned as location of burnt mounds and also cists
March 21st 1903 “The Orcadian” mounds of Aesgar and Ashara mentioned
Knowe of Smirrus HY32SE 17
March 21st 1903 “The Orcadian” Smerrhow mentioned
? Knowes of Trinnawin HY31NW 40
October 31st 1903 “The Orcadian” cist with inverted steatite urn over burn bones found in removing a large mound recently in Harray
Knowe of Taft HY22SE 8
March 14th 1903 “The Orcadian” remains of Knowe of Nurton mentioned as probably still by steading
Konisquoy HY31SW 68
February 20th 1909 “The Orcadian” short cist with bones (covering mound removed in living memory) found at Konizquoy [Congesquoy], Cairston, ~10yds from top of beach [Sands of Congesquoy HY2710] in field where numerous “primitive tools and weapons” have been found several times
Kyelittle ND49NE 8
November 6th 1909 “The Orcadian” likened to nearby Hillock of Fea ND49NE 7
Linga Dee, Yesnaby ?HY21NW 3
January 12th 1907 “The Orcadian” several ‘aesir knowes’ excavated by late W.Allan at Langadae, each had 8-14 distinct cremations and water trained round
Linahowe HY22SW 17 or HY21NW 22
February 27th 1907 “The Orkney Herald” monastery of St.Lawrence used to build steading in living memory (when extensive building still standing included circular structures)
June 29th 1907 “The Orcadian” Linahowe of large stone construction and covered ~1 acre
July 6th 1907 “The Orcadian” Linahowe called St.Lawrence stook
Lingafold HY21NE 19
August 1839 “The Orkney and Shetland Journal and Fisherman’s Magazine” excavations by Directos of Orkney Natural History Society in tumuli at Upper Lyking
Maeshowe HY31SW 1
February 21st 1906 “The Orkney Herald” Stallybrass report
September 16th 1908 “The Orkney Herald” described
meadow of Selwick, West Mainland
January 5th 1907 “The Orcadian” one-line description of ferruginous pot 9"D found during drain-lifting ~25 years before
Mor Stein HY51SW 1
May 21st 1904 “The Orcadian” “Moow’s Stane” mentioned
Ness of Onstan HY21SE 22
October 19th 1907 “The Orcadian” stones are graves [opinion at that time]
Nev Hill cairn ND48NW 5
July 11th 1903 “The Orcadian” “Gallows” stone cairn mentioned on Knave Hill
Nev Hill tomb ND48NW 10
July 11th 1903 “The Orcadian” burnt bones & ashes & E side short cist with urn excavated a short time before, burnt stones inside Knave Hill mound
Newbigging, St.Ola HY40NW 4
July 13th 1855 “John O’ Groat Journal” double cist with bones found at a previous time excavated Wednesday
October 23rd 1909 “The Orcadian” referenced to HY40NW 3
Odin’s Stone HY51NW 2
May 21st 1904 “The Orcadian” Black Stone of Odin mentioned
Pierowall HY44NW 13
June 1839 “The Orkney and Shetland Journal and Fisherman’s Magazine” April-May excavations ~¼ N of Pier-o-wall village
Pisgah HY44NW 7
January 13th 1854 “John O’ Groat Journal” description
Plumcake Mound HY21SE 11
July 28th 1854 “John O’ Groat Journal” graves & baked clay urn with bones excavated Monday before 24th
August 18th 1854 “John O’ Groat Journal” one-line description, mentioned as chosen for examination
Queena, Birsay HY22NE 23
July 20th 1909 “The Orkney Herald” stone axe and hammer found in structure
Quoyloo HY22SW 12
May 30th 1896 “The Orcadian” cist with bones and three skulls found at Quarry-banks [Quarrybanks], Scarwell district
Righ Knowe, Breckness estate
January 12th 1907 “The Orcadian” steatite urn with bones and ashes found on one of 3 knowes on hilltop W of Bruntland [slope of Brunt Hill HY2411] 12-15 years before is now at Skaill House
Ring of Bookan HY21SE 7
August 10th 1849 “John O’ Groat Journal” “Druidical circle” used as law thing in living memory by Mansie Hay
Ring of Brodgar HY21SE 1
September 19th 1849 “John O’ Groat Journal” description
October 2nd 1901 “The Orkney Herald” two-line description including moat
February 21st 1906 “The Orkney Herald” Stallybrass report
September 8th 1906 “The Orcadian” largest stone re-erected (knocked down ~1814) [? confusion with Stones of Stenness here], time capsule placed in cement foundation
July 31st 1907 “The Orkney Herald” runes found on stone stump uncovered in remedial work
September 16th 1908 “The Orkney Herald” 7 stones re-erected
September 16th 1908 “The Orkney Herald” described
September 30th 1908 “The Orkney Herald” quoting Tuesday’s “Scotsman” article description (inc. axe find) and work done
Round Church HY30SW 1
July 2nd 1902 “The Orkney Herald” excavation mooted
December 17th 1902 “The Orkney Herald” excavation proposed
Ruid Chapel ND48NW 4
July 11th 1903 “The Orcadian” two-line description of Hollyrood/Halyrude
St.Bride’s Chapel HY21NW 6
May 5th 1906 “The Orcadian” description
February 2nd 1907 “The Orcadian” description of facing building and of cornerstone decorated on two sides
August 13th 1910 “The Orcadian” one-line description
St.Colm’s Chapel ND38NW 1
December 22nd 1897 “The Orkney Herald” one-line description of cross found in the side of old chapel
St.Magnus Cathedral HY41SW 10
February 2nd 1849 “John O’ Groat Journal” skeleton found in a SW wall [now believed to be that of Earl Erlend Haraldsson]
St.Mary’s Kirk HY21SE 30
March 28th 1903 “The Orcadian” traditionally besieged by Castle Bloody
St.Peter’s Chapel, Pentland Skerries ND47NE 2
September 12th 1903 “The Orcadian” mentioned
St.Peter’s Chapel, Swona ND38NE 1
September 12th 1903 “The Orcadian” foundations remain, house built from stones
St.Peter’s Kirk HY21NW 26 Deerness parish church
March 28th 1903 & May 12th 1906 “The Orcadian” oldest gravestone in West Mainland, formerly standing beside well but now lying down, is traditionally of earliest missionary
Salt Knowe HY21SE 14
August 18th 1854 “John O’ Groat Journal” one-line description
Saverock souterrain HY41SW 5
January 13th 1854 “John O’ Groat Journal” description of original excavation, bronze bird’s claw found subsequently
Scapa
July 15th 1853 “John O’ Groat Journal” double cist with bones excavated recently on farm of Scalpa in tumulus [near shore]
Skaill hoard HY31NW 14
August 6th 1910 “The Orcadian” two-line description of the “Muckle Brae”
Skae Frue HY21SE 8
August 10th 1849 “John O’ Groat Journal” cist with skeleton excavated July 30th-31st
Skara Brae HY21NE 12
October 2nd 1901 “The Orkney Herald” mention of finds, rouge pot mentioned, being stored in Mr.Watt of Skaill’s museum
Sorquoy ND49SW 3
July 11th 1903 “The Orcadian” one-line description
South Seatter mound HY21NW 2
May 5th 1906 “The Orcadian” one-line description of Tirlhowe
Stanemora ND38SE 2
September 12th 1903 “The Orcadian” Standing Stones [i.e. the uprights] described, many shells found at base of one
Stanerandy HY22NE 15
March 21st 1903 “The Orcadian” one-line description inc. cramp in soil
Staney Hill standing stone HY31NW 10
March 14th 1903 “The Orcadian” traditionally erected during procession of St.Magnus cortege
Stenness parish church HY31SW 19
April 6th 1907 “The Orcadian” grave mounds without gravestones found when present foundations dug, one produced simple bronze brooches believed in possession of Mr.Murison
Stenness tumuli
August 1839 “The Orkney and Shetland Journal and Fisherman’s Magazine” mention by Orkney Natural History Society of copper circle and boar’s tusk found in a tumulus
August 18th 1854 “John O’ Groat Journal” excavation of two tumuli, each with cist with burnt bones, mentioned
Sties Of the Brough HY64SE 6
February 30th 1907 “The Orcadian” finds from picts house or broch on ness in Cross parish
Stone of Odin HY31SW 40
September 19th 1849 “John O’ Groat Journal” one-line description
September 30th 1908 “The Orkney Herald” quoting Tuesday’s “Scotsman” article
Stones of Stenness HY31SW 2
September 19th 1849 “John O’ Groat Journal” description, 18’ prostrate stone knocked down 1815
October 2nd 1901 “The Orkney Herald” one-line description
February 21st 1906 “The Orkney Herald” Stallybrass report
September 16th 1908 “The Orkney Herald” central dolmen re-erected
September 16th 1908 “The Orkney Herald” two-line description of Stansness
September 30th 1908 “The Orkney Herald” quoting Tuesday’s “Scotsman” article description and work done
Stonepark, St.Margaret’s Hope ~ND443932
July 18th 1903 “The Orcadian” some years ago cists from mound formerly near Stonepark
Swona ND38NE 3 & SE 11
September 12th 1903 “The Orcadian” sheepfolds and dykes and open-ended huts were ‘Crevices’ (round enclosures) for growing crops and ‘Skios’ (long narrow structures)for drying fish – mentions one 14’ x 3’ and largest 72’ x 3‘
Taversoe Tuick HY42NW 2
May 14th 1898 “The Orcadian” one-line description of excavation, Hunclett (HY40NE 6) referenced
May 18th 1898 “The Orkney Herald” excavation from May 5th
Trimmigarth, Sandwick
February 3rd 1909 “The Orkney Herald” [? network of] underground passages resembling [but too long and wrong geology for] fulgurites found near site of old smithy
Trowie Glen, Hoy
July 6th 1901 “The Orcadian” small orthostats in valley floor mentioned, associated locally with burials
Twinly Kirk ND38SE 6
September 12th 1903 “The Orcadian” one-line description of Kirkgoe/ Twinly Kirk, nearby house formerly used in distilling whisky
Unstan tomb HY21SE 5
October 19th 1907 “The Orcadian” mound still open to elements
Warebeth HY20NW 12
March 28th 1903 “The Orcadian” early missionary traditionally buried under St.James kirk
Warbister Hill ND38SE 8
September 12th 1903 “The Orcadian” one-line description of Knowe of Warbister
Ward Hill HY51NW 12
May 21st 1904 “The Orcadian” the Wart mentioned as man-made
Watch Stone HY31SW 11
February 21st 1906 “The Orkney Herald” Stallybrass report
Weems Castle ND48NW 2
July 11th 1903 “The Orcadian” mention of alternative names of Lady Wemyss’ Castle and St.Lowrie’s Castle, tradition of subterranean passage [i.e. weem]
Yinstay HY51SW 2
May 30th 1906 “The Orkney Herald” excavation, also modern cairn built from earlier blocks, standing stone removed in living memory, stones & burnt material & food remains & pottery fragments seen in next-door field