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Skae Frue is a mound situated 300 metres south-west of Buckan in Orkney, Scotland. The monument stands upon bedrock of Middle Old Red Sandstone, a complex sequence of conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone and mudstone formed during the Middle Devonian period. This geological foundation is typical of much of Orkney's mainland, providing a naturally coherent base for settlement and monumental construction in the area.
The mound itself represents an accumulation of archaeological deposits built up through human activity over time. Such mounds are common across northern Scotland and Orkney, often concealing structures and remains spanning multiple periods of occupation. The specific character of the site will be partly determined by the local Orcadian landscape, which combines agricultural land with natural stone resources.
Skae Frue is protected by Historic Environment Scotland as a scheduled monument under reference SM1379, recognising its archaeological importance. The monument's survival depends upon this statutory protection, which controls any works that might affect the site. Understanding such mounds contributes to knowledge of settlement patterns and land use in Orkney through the prehistoric and early historic periods.
Skae Frue, mound 300m SW of Buckan is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM1379. View the official record →
Skae Frue is a mound situated 300 metres south-west of Buckan in Orkney, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM1379.
Skae Frue, mound 300m SW of Buckan 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 SM1379.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Diamond Cottage,defended promontory N of (2.6 km), Knowe of Onston,or Unstan,chambered cairn (2.7 km), Little Barnhouse, mound, 160m NE of (3.4 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Skae Frue, mound 300m SW of Buckan's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Skae Frue, mound 300m SW of Buckan stands on Middle Old Red Sandstone (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Middle Devonian. The rock here is conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone and mudstone.