A low but substantial burial mound on a broad ridge preserves a likely Bronze Age grave and a place in Orkney’s wider funerary landscape.
Quick facts
- Date
- Probably Bronze Age, circa 2000–800 BC
- Architect / designer
- Bronze Age community
- Type
- Turf-covered burial mound with possible cist remains
- Designation
- Scheduled monument (SM1288)
- OS grid reference
- HY 23518 17193
Architecture, archaeology and continuing use
The sub-circular turf-covered mound measures about 12.7 by 10.5 metres and survives to roughly 0.9 metres high. Disturbance at the top revealed a stone cist in 1882, and two large slabs remain visible near the centre.
Its story
The mound was probably raised between about 2000 and 800 BC. Its ridge position and relationship with other prehistoric burial monuments suggest a deliberately visible funerary landscape. Antiquarian disturbance exposed the possible cist but much of the mound may survive intact.
Why it is included
Scheduled protection recognises the mound’s capacity to retain human remains, artefacts and environmental evidence while contributing to the pattern of Bronze Age burial around the Bay of Skaill.
What to notice
- The broad sub-circular mound rising gently from the ridge.
- Two large slabs near the centre, observed without approaching them.
- The relationship with other distant mounds across the open landscape.
Reading the surroundings
The monument lies on farmland and has no managed visitor access advertised. Do not cross fields, fences or gates without lawful permission, and never disturb the mound or exposed slabs.
Timeline
- Circa 2000–800 BC A community raised the barrow and placed one or more burials within it.
- 1882 Investigation recorded a stone cist in the mound.
- 20th century National scheduling protected the surviving monument.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
The slabs’ exact relationship to the recorded cist is uncertain, and the mound has not been fully excavated.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Knowe of Angerow, SM1288 — Designation status, mapped location, date, fabric and architectural or archaeological interest.
- Open University Research Repository: funerary and ceremonial monuments in Orkney — Academic landscape context for the mound, exposed cist and surrounding burial monuments.
- Orkney Islands Council: scheduled monuments in Orkney — Local-authority confirmation of the monument within Orkney’s scheduled heritage resource.
Location
OS grid reference HY 23518 17193 · Location confidence: High: the national designation supplies an official mapped National Grid Reference; an additional source confirms the Place relationship, history or current identity. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
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