MHG1330 - Two Cairns, Achanarras 'A'
Summary
Site of two prehistoric cairns with associated stone circles. Scheduled.
Type and Period (1)
- CAIRN (Neolithic - 4000 BC to 2401 BC)
Protected Status
Full Description
Cairn and stone circle, Benachie. Grass-covered mound 10m in diameter and 0.5m high lying within a circle of five prostrate stones 17m in diameter.
R J Mercer, NMRS MS/828/19, 1995
These two cairns are as described by the previous field investigator. Revised at 1:2500.
Visited by OS (J B) 15 February 1982
Burl, obviously without visiting the site, since he repeats Feachem's mis-siting, classifies 'A' as a stone circle.
H A W Burl 1976
(A: ND 1453 5575; B: ND 1446 5575) Cairns (NR)
OS 6" map, (1970)
A: This cairn, surrounded by five prostrate stones, as described by the RCAHMS, is situated at ND 1453 5575 at the foot of Achanarras Hill in marshy open moorland. It now measures only 10.0m in diameter and 0.5m in height.
B, a probable cairn, at ND 1446 5575, in a similar topographic position to and 75m W of 'A', is as described by the RCAHMS. It survives to a height of 1.0m.
Visited by OS (N K B) 11 November 1965
A: Stone Circle. A stony mound 60ft in diameter and up to 2ft high, with a central depression, is surrounded by five blocks of stone, aligned along the perimeter and all prostrate. They are 6ft long, 2 3/4 to 4 1/2ft broad, and 1ft thick (The RCAHMS {1911} locate this monument to the N end of Achanarras Hill, a little more tham 1/2 mile NW of Achanarras farm; Feachem, however, obviously describing the same thing, which he identifies as a cairn, places it at ND 145 552 - the position to The Shean, ND15NW 14.)
B: Cairn. Situated 40 yds W of 'A' is a low mound with indefinite limits but apparently measuring 56ft N-S by 43ft transversely.
RCAHMS 1911, visited 1910; R W Feachem 1963
Sources/Archives (3)
- --- SHG2004 Text/Publication/Volume: Burl, {H} A {W}. 1976. The stone circles of the British Isles. 356.
- --- SHG2187 Text/Publication/Volume: Feachem, R W. 1963. A Guide to Prehistoric Scotland. 1st. 73.
- --- SHG2664 Text/Report: RCAHMS. 1911. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Scotland. Third report and inventory of monuments and constructions in the county of Caithness. . 38, 41, Nos. 131, 141; plan.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred ND 1453 5575 (14m by 14m) (2 map features) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | ND15NW |
| Civil Parish | HALKIRK |
| Geographical Area | CAITHNESS |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Investigations/Events (0)
External Links (2)
- http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM2401 (Online designation description (Historic Environment Scotland))
- https://canmore.org.uk/site/8307 (View RCAHMS Canmore entry for this site)
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