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MHG58295 - Dam - Loch a Chuirn

Summary

A dam was identified in the National Trust for Scotland's DBA and walkover survey 1998.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

A dam was identified in a DBA and walkover survey undertaken by the National Trust for Scotland at their Inverewe Estate in 1998.
(INVG028) This drystone dam is situated at the SE outlet of Loch a Chuirn. It is similar in construction to that at Loch Losguinn [MHG58309], and presumed to be of an earlier date than the concrete dam at Lochan na Ba Caoile [MHG58284], presumably early-middle 19th century.
NTS site staff are mystified as to why these lochs should have been dammed and the only suggestion that has come forward is that they were constructed to temporarily control the water flow whilst draining the lands downstream around Loch an Dailthean. It seems unlikely that they were constructed for a water supply or as an aid to fishing.
It was considered to be ins stable condition with photography recommended once every five years. <1>

GIS spatial data created 2018 basedon OS Master Map. <2>

It is possible that this feature, and other 'dykes' identified by the 1998 Survey by NTS of their Inverewe estate, are not dykes; as they have noted, these dykes are usually broad and straight and likely to be contemporaneous with each other. It is possible that they are the upcast from drainage ditches dug throughout this area. NTS noted in their survey that many lochs had been damed, but were unsure why, with a possible explaination that they were constructed to temporarily control water flow whilst draining land down stream around Loch an Dailthean. These a lot of these 'dykes' have been constructed between lochs, connecting then, and may thus relate to the same activity, or to a similar purpose.
GW 23/07/18

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NG 8806 8166 (15m by 13m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NG88SE
Geographical Area	ROSS AND CROMARTY
Civil Parish	GAIRLOCH

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (1)

External Links (1)