Condition

2
Promontory Fort
Iron Age
379
SMR2532
Shetland

Description

The remains of a defended fort occupy a promontory, which is now cut off from the mainland at high tide. On the landward side of the promontory, two stone-faced ramparts are revetted into the slope, one behind the other. A small erosion face, of recent origin, was noted below the lowest of the ramparts on the landward side of the promontory. It measures 2m in length and is 1m high. No definite archaeological deposits were visible. At the top of the slope, grass-covered rubble may be part of a third line of defence, now completely ruinous. The footings of at least one small structure lie further out on the promontory. Previously, the remains of at least three structures were noted on the promontory and the defences were described as being far more substantial than they now appear (Source: NMRS). This site has apparently suffered significantly from coastal erosion in the past thirty years. Survey in June 2014: further erosion to the south-west side of the fort with possible further loss of rampart walls with more loss certainly imminent within the next year or two from exposure to south-easterly gales.

Location

421643.00
1158200.00
27700
60.3073502
-1.6101642

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
Towards the shore. 20/06/2014 Towards the shore. bjohnston79291
Towards the shore.
The second rampart. 20/06/2014 The second rampart. bjohnston79291
The second rampart.
Two ramparts and the possible third. 20/06/2014 Two ramparts and the possible third. bjohnston79291
Two ramparts and the possible third.
Cliff erosion. 20/06/2014 Cliff erosion. bjohnston79291
Cliff erosion.

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
1703 20/06/2014 bjohnston79291
Tidal state Low
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Coast edge
Coastally eroding? active sea erosion
Visibility above ground Limited visibility (partial remains)
Visibility in section Limited visibility in section
Access accessible - difficult terrain
Local knowledge is well known
Description The remains of a defended fort occupy a promontory, which is now cut off from the mainland at high tide. On the landward side of the promontory, two stone-faced ramparts are revetted into the slope, one behind the other. A small erosion face, of recent origin, was noted below the lowest of the ramparts on the landward side of the promontory. It measures 2m in length and is 1m high. No definite archaeological deposits were visible. At the top of the slope, grass-covered rubble may be part of a third line of defence, now completely ruinous. The footings of at least one small structure lie further out on the promontory. Previously, the remains of at least three structures were noted on the promontory and the defences were described as being far more substantial than they now appear (Source: NMRS). This site has apparently suffered significantly from coastal erosion in the past thirty years. Survey in June 2014: further erosion to the south-west side of the fort with possible further loss of rampart walls with more loss certainly imminent within the next year or two from exposure to south-easterly gales.
Part of the site actively eroding, vulnerable to extreme weather events. Reassign to priority 2

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