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MHG47212 - Radio station - Aodann Mhor

Summary

A defensive complex comprised of three concrete and breeze-block huts.

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.

On the grassed cliffs at the west of Aodann Mor is a defensive complex comprised of three concrete and breeze-block huts. These huts measure 10 m N-S by 5 m, 12 m E-W by 5 m, 8 m E-W by 7 m and all have porches around their one entrance. There is also a rough concrete plinth with four steel posts set into it at this site. This would appear to be the foundation for a mast which has been systematically stripped on abandonment, like the rest of this site. Approximately 40 m to the NW of this complex, located at the cliff-edge, is an area of rock, red brick and breeze-block rubble which may be the destroyed remnants of a look-out post. (See MHG655838)<1>

A small radio station is visible on a vertical air photograph (V 540/RAF/1631, 0082, flown 1 June 1955) at Aodann Mhor N of Durness..
The air photograph shows that the installation was provided with three small masts and is protected by a fence forming a square enclosure. Three buildings are visible and the chart copy OS 1:10560 map (1967) depicts these and the fence line whilst the current OS digital 1:2500 scale map only shows the buildings. The installation is connected to Durness by a narrow track.
Information from RCAHMS (DE), May 2004 <2>

NGR adjusted based on 1999-2001 vertical aerial photographs. <3>

Note: Huts appear to have been demolished after 2001. (TB 6/5/26)

Sources/Archives (3)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NC 40482 69324 (27m by 41m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NC46NW
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	DURNESS

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (1)

External Links (1)