Scheduled MonumentsScotlandBrough of Bigging, promontory fort, Yesnaby
Iron Age · Promontory fort, yesnaby

Brough of Bigging, promontory fort, Yesnaby

Scotland
HES SM6214
Period
Iron Age
Site type
Promontory fort, yesnaby
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic Environment Scotland

Overview

History & significance

Brough of Bigging is a promontory fort situated at Yesnaby in Orkney, Scotland, dating to the Iron Age. The site occupies a naturally defensive headland position, with settlement remains concentrated on the promontory itself, exploiting the steep coastal cliffs as a natural defence. The fort demonstrates the characteristic settlement pattern of Iron Age Orkney, where coastal promontories were fortified to create secure strongholds for local communities. The remains include evidence of habitation structures typical of the period, reflecting the strategic and domestic importance of such coastal positions in the Iron Age settlement hierarchy of the northern isles.

Brough of Bigging, promontory fort, Yesnaby is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM6214. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Brough of Bigging, promontory fort, Yesnaby?

Brough of Bigging is a promontory fort situated at Yesnaby in Orkney, Scotland, dating to the Iron Age. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM6214.

What period does Brough of Bigging, promontory fort, Yesnaby date from?

Brough of Bigging, promontory fort, Yesnaby dates from the iron age period, and is classified as a promontory fort, yesnaby. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Brough of Bigging, promontory fort, Yesnaby?

Brough of Bigging, promontory fort, Yesnaby is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM6214.

What other scheduled monuments are near Brough of Bigging, promontory fort, Yesnaby?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including East Bigging, burnt mound 390m S of (1.1 km), Billia Fiold, enclosures, platforms and banks (1.9 km), Burn of Selta, farmsteads, field system and associated remains (3 km).

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