Monument record 12 - THE ALTAR, SOAY

NA00SE 3 0675 0157.

(Name: NA 069016) The Altar (NR)
OS 6"map, (1928) annotated by J Mathieson.

A square building 5ft each way and 3ft 6ins in height - an alleged altar. It appears to have been closed in with a turf wall 30ft N-S and 20ft E-W, the 'altar' being at the N end (J Mathieson 1928 ), although Sands said it was encircled by small standing stones (J Sands 1878).
J Mathieson 1928; J Sands 1878.

NA 06750157. Although access to Soay was not possible at time of visit, this structure was noted through binoculars, and would appear to agree with the dimensions given above, and also with the illustration in Norman Heathcote's 'St Kilda'(N Heathcote 1900). The enclosuring 'wall' could not be seem, however. The purpose of the structure is still not certain.
Visited by OS (J L D) 9 August 1967; N Heathcote 1900.

J Sands, 1876-8, Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 189 (Bibliographic reference). SWE6187.

N Heathcote, 1900, St Kilda, illust. (Unpublished document). SWE12817.

J Mathieson, 1927-8, Proc Soc Antiq Scot, 129 (Bibliographic reference). SWE5190.