Gallows, Cairns, and Things: A Study of Tentative Gallows Sites in Shetland

Abstract

Abstract In this paper, I summarize the evidence of former gallows sites in Shetland from place-names, oral traditions, historical records, and archaeological remains. I make an attempt to date the alleged places of execution by comparison of their spatial distribution with known or presumed historical assembly or court sites and districts. I argue that the Gallow Hills are associated with the post-medieval judicial organization of Shetland rather than the Norse division and may therefore be later in date than has been suggested before. Furthermore, I show that some of the oral traditions associated with the gallows sites reflect notions of liminality and hidden worlds that have parallels in other parts of northwestern Europe.