Monument record MHG10773 - Ironworking Site, Skelpick

Summary

No summary available.

Location

Grid reference Centred NC 7216 5669 (40m by 40m) (Buffered by site type)
Map sheet NC75NW
Geographical Area SUTHERLAND
Old County SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish FARR

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

NC75NW 20 7217 5669.

Evidence of iron smelting occurs in bank of Skelpick Burn 8ins below surface A bed of iron slag, 9ins thick and intermixed with burnt wood overlies a layer of charcoal, 2 1/2ins thick.
RCAHMS 1911, visited 1909; H F Campbell 1920. <1><2>

The layer of iron slag is still identifiable 0.4m below the present ground level. Visited by OS (J L D) 2 May 1960.

This site on NE bank of the Skelpick Burn survives as a mound 5.5m across and 0.6m in maximum height. It is truncated in SW exposing contents as described above. The mound is turf covered in contrast with the surrounding moorland vegetation.
Surveyed at 1:10000. Visited by OS (J B) 8 August 1977.

A website user, Mark Stevens, notes that the Blaeu map of StrathNaver (from Atlas Novus c.1642) indicates that iron was mined and worked in this general area: "Mynes of Yron". West of Skail he writes on the map ''Heir is Yron Made'' South west from Skail is Beinn Stumanadh. Pont writes on his map '' Bin Staominy whair is had Iron oare''. <3><4>

Sources/Archives (6)

  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Skelpick. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Skelpick. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
  • <1> Text/Report: RCAHMS. 1911. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Scotland. Second report and inventory of monuments and constructions in the county of Sutherland. . 89, No. 262.
  • <2> Text/Publication/Volume: Campbell, H F. 1920. Caithness and Sutherland. 113.
  • <3> Text/Correspondence: Stevens, M. 06/2011. Email correspondence between Mark Stevens and Sylvina Tilbury, HER Officer. Yes. Digital.
  • <4> Text/Publication/Volume: Blaeu, J (ed). 1654. Blaeu Atlas of Scotland. Digital.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Record last edited

Jun 15 2011 1:19PM

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