A compass rose carved into the bedrock at the Wards of Mucklure on the west side is a rare remnant from the Hanseatic trade. This network provided Shetland with highly sought after manufactured goods, raw materials and money in exchange for dried and salted fish, wool and animal products. From circa 1450, direct trade with Shetland from the ports of Hamburg and Bremen thrived for about 250 years. The only known example of a maritime compass petroglyph in the UK, several are known in Scandinavian countries. It is believed to date from the late 16th to the early 17th century.

 

Its function is not entirely clear. Located on elevated positions along coastal trade routes, they could be a form of lookout. They may also relate to a trader marking their site in a competitive trade market. Latterly, they may have been used as muster points for those hoping to join passing whalers.

 

As a form of lookout or traders mark, the Wards of Mucklure maritime compass petroglyph may correspond with three documented trading booths, known as böds, in this area. The largest is thought to have been located where Burrastow House now stands. Another was likely located on a nearby holm, a third at the small and sheltered landing point of Quinni Geo. Later modified into a sheepfold, several wall lines and terminations can be found behind the rocky shore and integrated into the field walls at Quinni Geo. Some of these may relate to the former böd.

 

To read about this site in more detail, we recommend this research by Douglas Cawthorne.