Scheduled MonumentsScotlandGallow Hillock, cairn on Backlass Hill
Cairn on backlass hill

Gallow Hillock, cairn on Backlass Hill

Scotland
HES SM450
Site type
Cairn on backlass hill
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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

Overview

History & significance

Gallow Hillock is a Bronze Age cairn located on Backlass Hill in Caithness, northern Scotland. The monument consists of a substantial stone mound constructed during the prehistoric period, typical of funerary or ceremonial structures erected in the upland areas of northern Britain. As a designated scheduled monument under Historic Environment Scotland (reference SM450), it represents an important survival of Bronze Age settlement and burial practice in the region. The cairn's position on elevated terrain reflects the characteristic siting of such monuments across the Caithness landscape, where they served as enduring markers of territorial and ritual significance for prehistoric communities.

Gallow Hillock, cairn on Backlass Hill is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM450. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Gallow Hillock, cairn on Backlass Hill?

Gallow Hillock is a Bronze Age cairn located on Backlass Hill in Caithness, northern Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM450.

Who is responsible for protecting Gallow Hillock, cairn on Backlass Hill?

Gallow Hillock, cairn on Backlass Hill 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 SM450.

What other scheduled monuments are near Gallow Hillock, cairn on Backlass Hill?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Knockglass,broch E of (3 km), Carn A' Chladha, broch (3.2 km), Scouthal Burn,chapel & The Clow (3.3 km).

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