MHG7791 - Crannog, Loch Achilty
Summary
No summary available.
Type and Period (1)
- CRANNOG (Iron Age - 550 BC to 560 AD)
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
NH45NW 3 4304 5637.
There is a tree-covered, artificial island about 80 yards from south shore of Loch Achilty. It measures 54' - 60' by 34' - 42' and stands about 2' above normal water level. It is built of evenly coursed stones, and has a regular batter, foundations measuring 79' by 59'. Timber projects from the NW, SW and east sides.
O Blundell 1913; D MacDonald, A Polson and D Brown 1931
NSA mentions buildings on a supposedly artificial island on Loch Achilty. These are said to be associated with 'MacLea Mor', who remains undated.
C Downie 1845
Name Book ascribes the artificiality and MacLea association to Eilean Mhielidh (MacLea's Island) at NH 43485702 on N side of loch, stating at the same time that this island has every appearance of being natural. It makes no mention of crannog on S side. Name Book 1876
It seems probable that crannog on S side is the true 'MacLea's Island' and should bear remains of buildings.
At NH 43045637 there is a small artificial island composed of stones and largely submerged. The portion above water now measures 10.6 m E-W x 6 transversely, submerged portion approx 21m E-W x 14.5m. It supports a few trees.
There is now no trace of timber supports, a causeway, or buildings on island; there is a possible harbour in N.
Eilean Mhielidh, a pear shaped tree-covered island at NH 43485702, measuring 58m E-W by 23.5m transversely is undoubtedly natural and no trace of buildings could be found on it. Whether or not the crannog at NH 43045634 is associated with MacLea Mor, or whether Eileen Mhielidh is correctly associated with him, was not ascertained.
Visited by OS (R D) 12 July 1965
No Change. (Water level of loch was high and no boat was available at time of investigation.)
Visited by OS (R F) 18 November 1970
Sources/Archives (4)
- --- Text/Publication/Volume: MacDonald, Polson and Brown, D, A and J. {1931}. The book of Ross, Sutherland and Caithness, Orkney and Shetland: descriptive, historical and antiquarian notes. 42-3.
- --- Text/Publication/Volume: NSA. 1845. The new statistical account of Scotland by the ministers of the respective parishes under the superintendence of a committee of the society for the benefit of the sons and daughters of the clergy. 238.
- --- Text/Publication/Volume: Name Book (County). Object Name Books of the Ordnance Survey. Book No. 45, 9 and 13.
- --- Text/Publication/Article: Blundell, F O. 1913. 'Further notes on the artificial islands in the Highland area', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 47 1912-13, p.257-302. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 257-302. 278-9.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NH 4304 5637 (40m by 40m) (Buffered by site type) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NH45NW |
| Geographical Area | ROSS AND CROMARTY |
| Civil Parish | CONTIN |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Investigations/Events (0)
External Links (1)
- https://canmore.org.uk/site/12472 (View RCAHMS Canmore entry for this site)
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