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Wag Of Forse

About Wag Of Forse
Forse Wag dated 1st millennium B.C./early first millennium A.D. appears as a wide collection of stones with a variety of structures - tunnels, chambers and steps. Twice, it has been partially excavated - in 1939 and 1948. It is one of the largest in the county, the site being approximately 80 yards square - Caithness Field Club Bulletin 1995.

Wag of Forse is an Iron Age site with multiple periods of occupation including a dun and wags.  the site was partly excavated by Curle on separate occasions.  According to the notes in the Canmore Database of RCAHMS the sequence of occupation may have been of huts of three periods overlaid by a dun.  The site was surrounded by a turf wall mounted on stone.

Surrounding the site is field system with the remains of the walls in place - not in straight lines but in segments.  The outline is clear at the site and particularly in photos from the air.

Great views of the surrounding countryside to the sea and in other directions are to be had from this site.  The ground is a bit rough at the start from cattle that over winter.  The area is on a working farm and dogs need to be kept on a lead if taken at all.

The site is on the ground of Nottingham Mains Farm and to the rear of Forse Care Home - once the big house on the estate.

For more detailed information try the Canmore Database of RCAhMS  The resources are free to use but you require to register to get a user name and password. the database gives information on most archaeological sites in Scotland based on visits made by people over many, many years.  Photos are on some sections but some may require to be purchased.

The Forse Dovecote
The interesting dovecote is near the start of the walk near Nottingham Farm

A Secret Hide From World War Two Nearby
LATHERON-FORSE, ND21813363, also ND2047 3570
Two hides here, one in impenetrable gorse on the steep south bank of the Forse River near the
waterfall. The other is inland in a wood near the Corr Cottage. A long east-west wall that divides
the big field containing the "Wag Of Forse" from the reservoir. In the wood, 50 M south of the line of this wall, and 30 M from the boundary wall lies the clear hole of the hide.
The reason for two hides is not understood; perhaps one became public knowledge so had to be abandoned, or it may have belonged to another organisation. - Geoff Leet
The Caithness Secret Army Of World War Two

Photo Gallery

Photos 10th April 2013