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MHG65685 - Clearance cairns - Kyle of Durness

Summary

At least five visible clearance cairns.

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 a small, low-lying grassed promontory at the base of an almost sheer 50 m high outcrop are at least five visible clearance cairns. These are heavily covered in undergrowth, as is the whole promontory, and at least another two cairns were located by probing. At the base of the huge outcrop at the landward side of this promontory is a 26 m long linear feature which follows the contours of that outcrop. This consists of rubble roughly thrown together and represents possibly a large clearance pile, tumble from the outcrop or an attempt to revet the base of the outcrop and stop loose rock from tumbling on to the promontory. At the seaward side of the promontory there is a 0.75 m wide, 0.2 m high bank which follows the line of the coast and marks the east edge of this site, This was presumably an area of cleared land used for cultivation but was heavily overgrown at time of survey and no rigs or beds were visible.<1>

Note: Site not visible on aerial photographs so location based on grid coordinates. (TB 10/4/26)

Sources/Archives (1)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NC 3679 6620 (25m by 25m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NC36NE
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	DURNESS

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Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (1)

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