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MHG62116 - Cist and possible burial cairn- Urchany (Allt na Criche)

Summary

Cist burial, platform and possible cairn, Urchany (Allt na Criche).

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

Full Description

Depop., cairns, etc.
OS 6"map annotated by A L F Rivet (nd)
The field system, partly overlaid by a depopulated steading, is marked by stone clearance heaps, lynchets and walls forming fields varying in size from about 15 m by 10 m to about 50 m by 30 m.
Divorced survey at 1:10,000.
Visited by OS (R L) 17 March 1970

(Name: NH 4555 4550) Settlement & Field System (NR)
OS 1/10,000map, (1975)

This unenclosed settlement comprises the remains of four oval stone-walled houses and two scarped platforms which may represent the sites of timber houses. In the vicinity there are several other platforms of unknown function and also extensive remains of stone clearance, some of which may be of relatively recent date.
RCAHMS 1979 <1>

The North of Scotland Archaeological Society (NoSAS) undertook an archaeological survey of Urchany in 2015. A number of probable burial cairns/cists were recorded.

Site V64; Cist Burial. On a gentle south-sloping area, about 40m SW of a bend in the Urchany track, are the remains of a cist burial mounted on a raised platform. Recent muir burning has allowed the constituent stones to be seen easily. The steep sided cavity of the cist is 4m EW by 3m NS, with settings of small slab stones lining the side still remaining on the east side. The cist was empty, the base filled with accretions which were carefully cleaned out. Fig. 80 (82*) shows the base of the cist after cleaning. A large flat stone, 1.5m x 1.0m, lies on the NW edge of the cist cavity. It is irregular in shape and is presumably the capstone which has been moved aside to allow robbing of the cist. There is a raised platform, 12m EW x 10m NS, 2-4m outside the cist cavity, which may represent the margins of a cairn erected over the cist. This platform edge still has a ring of stones describing its limits, this margin or kerb best seen in the south. <2>

NGR adjusted based on 2015 aerial photographs. <3>

*(Note; the report incorrectly refers to Figure 80 as the photo of the cist. It is Figure 82 on the same page (p35) as the site description. T.Blackie 12/10/20)

Sources/Archives (3)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NH 4551 4555 (5m by 5m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NH44NE
Civil Parish	KILMORACK
Geographical Area	INVERNESS

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (1)

External Links (1)