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MHG12865 - Achuvoldrach Old Pier

Summary

A dry-stone pier constructed from large (1 m by 1 m by 0.4 m), roughly-dressed angular blocks with smaller packing-stones between.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

Not to be confused with Achuvoldrach, Ferry Pier (NC 5694 5868), for which see NC55NE 24.

(Location cited as NC 560 585). Old Pier, Acuvoldrach, probably early 19th century. The ruins of a small masonry pier.
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.

This is a dry-stone pier constructed from large (1 m by 1 m by 0.4 m), roughly-dressed angular blocks with smaller packing-stones between. A 21 m long wall runs from the coast-edge, across the beach, to a rectangular pier-head which measures 16 m by 13 m. This pier-head is constructed below the LWM and is now almost entirely destroyed. The landward and south sides have almost totally collapsed as have both seaward corners. There is sand, shingle and seaweed over all the stones on the surface of the pier-head, which is entirely below water at high-tide. This may be as a direct result of the construction of the modern causeway at the north slowing down the rate at which the tide escapes this area. The whole construction takes advantage of an outcrop of rock which protects the south side of the pier. There are ruinous sections of dry-stone sea-wall at both the north and south of the landward edge of this pier. The passenger ferry across the Kyle left from the pier immediately north of this (NMRS number NC 55 NE 24: site no 13 below) so it is not known what function this pier served although it may be linked with the possible quarry to the south. <1>

NGR adjusted based on 2023 vertical aerial photographs. <2>

Sources/Archives (3)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NC 5700 5855 (37m by 24m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NC55NE
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	TONGUE

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