Print

MHG25250 - Pier and Fishing Stations - Portnancon

Summary

Early C19 pier and fishing station. The pier served the Portnancon-Heilam (Ard Neackie) ferry across Loch Eriboll.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

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.

There is a c 50 m long jetty and pier which is 4 m wide and is in good condition except for some damage to the stone work at the seaward side. The wood-piled extension to this pier and jetty (Hume, 1977, 314) is no longer functional and is only evident as uprights at low tide. Whilst this complex can be viewed as a nineteenth century fishing station, the jetty and pier also served the ferry crossing of Loch Eriboll into the twentieth century (Close-Brooks, 1995; 60). See also Beaton, 1995, 93; Close-Brooks, 1995, 33; and Hume, 1977, 59. <1>

(Location cited as NC 427 603). Portnancon, pier, store etc. Mid 19th century. A long coursed-rubble pier with a ramp on one side, with a wood-piled extension at right-angles. There is a two-storey and attic storehouse with external stair to the first floor and the characteriestic Sutherland Estates projecting eaves. A small cottage next door is in similar style. There is also a small smoking house of wooden construction on a stone base. <2> (See MHG11962 for fishing station)

This pier served the Portnancon-Heilam (Ard Neakie) Ferry across Loch Eriboll. A corresponding long stone pier can be found at Heilam Ferry (Ard Neackie). <3>

NGR adjusted based on 1999-2001 vertical aerial photographs. <4>

Sources/Archives (4)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NC 4273 6028 (33m by 28m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NC46SW
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	DURNESS

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Investigations/Events (0)

External Links (1)