Behold the Knowes of Trotty
Efforts to open 4,000-year-old site to public
(story dated: February 22, 2003)

A search is underway for the owner, or owners, of an area of Harray heathland, so that an important 4,000 year old archaeological site can be opened to the public for the first time ever.

Orkney Islands Council assistant planning officer, Christine Skene, is trying to contact local landowners, so that a pathway to the bronze age burial site, the Knowes of Trotty, can be created.

So far, she has been unable to locate the owners of a piece of unfenced land which lies between the farm of Winksetter and the Knowes of Trotty, to ask them permission to designate an existing track as a public pathway.

If she succeeds, the council hope to open up the ancient burial site for the first time, to interested visitors and locals alike - complete with interpretation plaques to explain the area’s significance.

The site itself is a large cemetery, situated just off the Lyde Road on the farm of Netherhouse in Harray. It dates back to between 2000 BC and 1600 BC, and features a building, and 15 to 20 large early bronze age burial mounds.

The Knowes of Trotty were the scene of one of Orkney’s more famous finds, when local antiquarian George Petrie excavated part of it in 1858, and discovered four gold discs and a number of amber beads.

Over the last two years, as a result of concerns about erosion of the site by cattle and rabbits, investigations have been carried out by Orkney Archaeological Trust to assess the site’s condition and vulnerability – and to put Mr Petrie’s 150 year old findings into some kind of context.

Orkney College’s Jane Downes, who was involved in the work with local archaeologist, Nick Card, explained that people really didn’t know much about the cemetery, but because it was so important, they were quite keen to assess any damage which might be done to it, and see how close to the surface features were.

In fact, the archaeology, they discovered, was very close to the surface, and the site more extensive than originally thought, so steps are being taken to protect the area.

Ms Downes said: “The farmer, Vivian Sinclair, has agreed to enter into a management agreement with Historic Scotland to fence off the main part – the three biggest mounds - to cattle. And he is altering his stock regime for the rest of the cemetery.”

The new pathway, if permission for it is granted, will lead from the Howe road in Harray to the Knowes of Trotty, and should provide not just an insight into an aspect of Orkney’s prehistory, but an attractive walk for nature lovers.

“It’s a beautiful place full of plants and wildlife,” remarked Ms Downes.

However, the walkway will not happen without the consent of landowners.

Christine Skene said that she had been able to contact some people – all of whom had been positive about the scheme – but she had been unable to locate everyone who owned the land in question.

“I’ve asked locals,” she said. “I’ve asked as many people as I can. They’re not even marked on the local Agriculture department’s maps, as no-one is claiming that land.”

Anyone who can provide information on the land between Winksetter and the Knowes of Trotty can contact Christine Skene through Orkney Islands Council on 873535.