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MHG12864 - Achuvoldrach Ferry Pier

Summary

A jetty with a high-water mark pier at the landward end.

Type and Period (3)

Protected Status

Full Description

Not to be confused with Achuvoldrach, Old Pier (NC 5700 5855), for which see NC55NE 25.

(Location cited as NC 569 587). Ferry Pier, Achuvoldrach, probably early 19th century. A ramped masonry pier. At the landward end is a small circular tower, which may have been a beacon.
J R Hume 1977.

A rapid coastal zone assessment survey was conducted by GUARD in the Autumn of 1997 commissioned by Historic Scotland from the Viking and Early Settlement Archaeological Research Project based at the University of Glasgow.

Alhtough this is descibed as a pier in the NMRS and on the OS maps, it is actually a jetty with a high-water mark pier at the landward end. This jetty projects 90° W-E from a shore (protected at either side by a sea-wall) for at least 55 m, although the east is obscured by seaweed build-up and was below water at the time of this survey. The slip is constructed from large rectangular blocks laid horizontally for the main north and south walls with slabs laid vertically in between for the track. There are in situ iron mooring-pins and rings 5 m apart running down the middle of this pier/jetty. The sea-wall is constructed of large blocks laid horizontally and it shores up a small bay at the south of the pier/jetty as well as a stretch of the coast at the south of this and at the north of the landing place. The pier/jetty is in good condition but the sea-wall is collapsing in places. This was the west terminus of the Kyle ferry crossing from Ard Thunga (Beaton 1995, 90: NMRS no NC 55 NE 26; no 52 below) and has been constructed as a jetty with a HWM pier, presumably to allow the ferry to land at high-tide when coming from the east side of the Kyle, but also to land at low-tide when coming from Eilean Thunga (no 53 below) at low-tide. This should be surveyed in conjunction with other facilities associated with the ferry-crossing (ie NMRS NC 55 NE 26, 29, 30, the modern causeway across the Kyle and the small pier on Eilean Thunga. <1>

NGR adjusted based on 1999-2001 vertical aerial photographs. <2>

Sources/Archives (3)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NC 5694 5867 (54m by 19m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NC55NE
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	TONGUE

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Investigations/Events (1)

External Links (1)