Spindle whorl, stone
This stone spindle whorl was part of a tool used to make yarn. The hole in the centre would have been fitted with a shaft made from wood or bone. Wool could be attached to a notch at the top of this. As the stone weight was spun by hand the wool would twist into yarn that could be used for weaving into fabrics. It was found near Castle of Old Wick.
Castle of Old Wick
The history of Castle of Old Wick remains obscure and enigmatic. It was traditionally thought to have been built by Earl Harald Maddadson in the 1100s, but the surviving structure seems to date to the 14th century or later.
Documentary evidence shows that it was associated with the powerful Sutherland and Oliphant families, and was besieged during the Sutherland-Sinclair feud of the 16th century.
The Old Man of Wick
The four-storey tower dominates the castle complex. The seaward side collapsed long ago, and the castle is in an advanced state of ruin, but some features still survive:
- narrow window slits
- ledges for supporting timber upper floors
- a fireplace on the second floor
Remains of other structures lie behind the tower, though these have not been archaeologically excavated.
Details
- Dimensions
- l 26mm (l 1")
- Material
- Stone/BM Inorganic
- Time Period
- Medieval
- Property Information
- Castle of Old Wick
- Object Number
- E156
- Access Status
- Storage