The stone-built ruin is believed to be the remains of a shepherd's accommodation. The holms were also a site of several shipwrecks. One such wreck was the Royal Exchange in November 1926 with a cargo of free stone from Fersness quarry in Eday.
The Orkney Herald reported that the ship was returning from Eday when the staysail “blew to ribbons,” and it ended up wrecking on the holms. The crew were rescued by the steamer Orcadia. Also wrecked here was the brigantine Hebe with cargo of wood, flax, hemp and brandy. She had departed Riga and was en route to Liverpool. The date of loss is cited as 2 January 1832. The holms are also a favourite breeding site of the Grey seal.
