EHG5986 - Walkover survey - Arienas Wood and Acharn Hill, Rahoy Hills Wildlife Reserve

An archaeological survey was undertaken by J G Robertson in 2005 of the Arienas Wood and Acharn Hill, Morvern, part of the Rahoy Hills Wildlife Reserve, commissioned by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. The aim was to survey and record the charcoal burners’ platforms and any other archaeological features within the wood and in the vicinity of the new path between Acharn and Arienas Point. The survey area consisted of a strip along the northeast side of Loch Arienas, from Doire Nan Mart at the northwest end to Acharn at the southeast end. The entire area was fieldwalked in January – March 2005 with additional checking and photography in April 2005. The weather was mostly dry and ground conditions good. However, survey was hampered within the fenced exclosures by the growth of vegetation. It is possible that archaeological sites within these exclosures have been overlooked. At least one site, noted by Donald Kennedy during the construction of the fence, could not be identified. 89 archaeological sites were recorded in the survey, accounting for a total of 302 individual monuments. The majority of these relate to the exploitation and management of the woodland but a large number also relate to settlement, comprising both large townships, such as Arienas and Acharn but also small farmsteads. The largest category of sites in the survey area relates to woodland management. Three separate enclosures for the protection of woodland were recorded and up to 96 charcoal burners’ platforms as well as associated pits, structures and paths. <1>