MHG7891 - Henge - Wester Moy
Summary
The cropmark of a ring ditch identitifed from 1977 aerial photography, subsequently excavated and found to be a henge.
Type and Period (2)
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
The cropmark of a ring ditch identitifed from 1977 aerial photography, subsequently excavated and found to be a henge.
NH 481 554. Ring-ditch, Urray.
A ring ditch was obliquely photographed during an aerial survey by RCAHMS in 1977. <1>
A trial trenching evaluation was undertaken at the site by AOC Archaeology Group in 2025. The works were carried out as advance works on behalf of Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) in respect to the LT14 Western Isles: Mainland Cable Route. The targeted evaluation of two trenches confirmed the presence of a large ring ditch measuring approximately 18m in diameter externally. Two slots were excavated within the ditch, revealing a cut feature up to 3.5m wide and at least 1.4m deep with a V-shaped profile. Numerous fragments of prehistoric pottery were recovered from one slot. Both aerial imagery and the results of the evaluation indicated that the feature was likely to represent a henge monument. This interpretation was supported by the presence of a comparable monument in the wider landscape, namely the Achilty henge (MHG7792). Given the location of the henge monument within the proposed cable route corridor, development works would directly impact the archaeological remains. As such further mitigation works in the form of further excavation would likely be required. <2>
Sources/Archives (2)
- <1> SHG29866 Interactive Resource/Online Database: Historic Environment Scotland. National Record of the Historic Environment (on Trove.scot).
- <2> SHG30072 Text/Report/Fieldwork Report: Bussiere, P.. 2026. LT14 Western Isles Mainland Cable Lot 3 Early and Main Phase of Works: MHG7891 Urray, Wester Moy Archaeological Evaluation Data Structure Report. AOC Archaeology Group. 13/01/2026. Digital.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NH 4817 5540 (40m by 40m) (2 map features) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NH45NE |
| Geographical Area | ROSS AND CROMARTY |
| Civil Parish | URRAY |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Investigations/Events (1)
External Links (1)
- https://trove.scot/place/12411 (View record on the HES Trove website)
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