Region : Orkney Island : Rousay Town or village : Brinyan Grid Reference : HY 414 276 Period : 3rd millennium BC Blackhammer CHAMBERED CAIRN

Set on a terrace below Knowe of Yarso, on the island of Rousay (Orkney), this stalled chamber was built within a rectangular mound. It has now a modern concrete roof and access is by ladder from a hatch: the original 3m long entrance passage opened from the side of the tomb. Outside the entrance, the decorative effect of some slanting stones forming alternate triangles can still be seen. The chamber is 7.3m long and it is divided by upright flagstones into seven compartments. Two masses of rough masonry (one visible in the photo) have been inserted in the chamber. During excavations in 1936 only two adult burials were found, along with animal bones, pottery and flint tools. In care of Historic Scotland

Other chambered cairns ------------------ Achnacree (Carn Ban) Barpa Langass Beorgs of Housetter Blackhammer Cairnholy I Cairnholy II Camster Long Camster Round Camus nan Geall Clettraval Cnoc Freiceadain North Cnoc Freiceadain South Coille na Borgie South Cuween Hill East Bennan Garrywhin (Cairn o' Get) Holm of Papa Westray North Holm of Papa Westray South Isbister (Tomb of the Eagles) Knowe of Lairo Knowe of Yarso Maes Howe Midhowe Nether Largie South Ord North Ord South Punds Water South Yarrows South Taversoe Tuick Torrylin Unival Unstan Vinquoy Wideford Hill Other sites in Orkney ---------------------- Barnhouse Settlement Barnhouse Stone Blackhammer Comet Stone Cuween Hill Dwarfie Stane Grain Gurness Holm of Papa Westray North Holm of Papa Westray South Isbister (Tomb of the Eagles) Knap of Howar Knowe of Lairo Knowe of Yarso Liddle Maes Howe Midhowe Broch Midhowe Chambered Cairn Rennibister Ring of Brodgar (Brogar) Skara Brae Stone of Setter Stones of Stenness Taversoe Tuick Unstan Vinquoy Watch Stone Wideford Hill