MHG65799 - Rig and furrow - Achiemore
Summary
An area of strip cultivation.
Type and Period (1)
Protected Status
- None recorded
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 rough grass and heather slope above the cliffs is an extensive area of cultivation. This is characterised by strips 5 m wide between furrows 1-2 m wide extending from the 40 m contour down the slope to the cliff-edge. This cultivation runs for over 200 m to a stream gulley and continues S of that, running on a different alignment. Both of these areas of cultivation strips are interrupted by a trackway 3 m wide which descends along the contour and then runs diagonally across the slope from the modern farmhouse at Achiemore. The strips north of the stream start from the east side of this track, whilst the strips south of the stream run both east and west of the track. It was noted that the strips in this latter area are on a different alignment at the east than they are at the west which suggests the track is contemporary with them. Hillwash is obscuring areas of the cultivation rigs. <1>
NGR adjusted based on 2026 vertical aerial photographs. <2>
Sources/Archives (2)
- <1> SHG21099 Text/Report/Fieldwork Report: Brady, K. & Morris, C.D.. 1997. North Sutherland Survey: Coastal Zone Assessment Kyle of Durness to Torrisdale Bay. Glasgow University (GUARD). 30/01/1998. . Site 10.
- <2> SHG29455 Image/Photograph(s)/Aerial Photograph/Vertical: Get Mapping. 2023. Getmapping aerial photography 2023. XY
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NC 3604 6743 (316m by 962m) (2 map features) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NC36NE |
| Geographical Area | SUTHERLAND |
| Civil Parish | DURNESS |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Investigations/Events (1)
External Links (0)
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