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MHG27977 - Chambered Cairn - Balblair Wood

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NH54SW 64 centred NH 5024 4456

NH 503 445. Remains of large circular chambered cairn with spread of cairn material over area c.20m in diameter. Site heavily obscured by tree and plant growth. The centre of the site consists of small square chamber with back face consisting of large slab of c.2m by 1m. The line of the passage is clearly visible, with a number of slumped lintel slabs in place (Coghill no.76)
D Coghill and R Hanley 1993

The remains of a large circular chambered cairn is situated in Balblair Wood. Although heavily obscured by trees, the cairn is about 20m in diameter and the remains of the chamber are visible at the centre. The chamber appears to have been roughly square, with a large slab some 2m in length and at least 1m in height forming its rear, W, end. The line of the passage is marked by a series of what appear to be lintels, although it is far from clear whether the slabs upon which they would have rested are still in place.
At the time when the chambered cairn (NH54SW 64) was surveyed by RCAHMS, a brief inspection of the surrounding area of woodland revealed at least eight hut-circles, a scatter of small cairns, and several low banks, extending southwards as far as the modern quarry. The full extent of the site could not be established in the time available and no attempt was made to survey these structures, although one of the hut-circles closest to the chambered cairn was mapped. This hut-circle lies at NH 5029 4458 and measures about 16m in diameter. Of the others: two lie about 80m further to the ENE; two about 100m WSW of the chambered cairn; two about 100m ESE of the cairn; and finally, a further 100m to the S of these last two, immediately within the tress at the edge of the quarry, there is an oval structure.
Visited by RCAHMS (SPH, DE) August 1997

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Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NH 5024 4457 (20m by 20m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NH54SW
Civil Parish	KILMORACK
Geographical Area	INVERNESS

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