Monument record MHG14341 - Cholera Burial Ground, Earls Cross Road

Summary

The site of a small enclosure which was used as a burial ground for cholera victims in 1832.

Location

Grid reference Centred NH 80401 90289 (43m by 53m) (Centred)
Map sheet NH89SW
Geographical Area SUTHERLAND
Old County SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish DORNOCH

Map

Type and Period (4)

Full Description

NH89SW 5 8025 9017.
Gallow Hill (NAT) Cholera Burial Ground (A.D. 1832) OS 6" map, (1907)

Gallow Hill - A small eminence being a natural feature covered with wood so called from its being at one time a place of execution. A little to the north of this hill is a small enclosure which was used as a burying ground in the year 1832 for the burial of persons dying of cholera. Name Book 1873.

An upright stone pillar of rectangular section, 1.5m high, 0.5m wide and 0.2m thick at NH 8031 9019, is reputed locally to mark the site of the gallows. (Published as "post" on OS map.)
All that survives at the burial ground is one grave-stone dated 1833 at NH 8038 9021.
No enclosure wall is evident. Visited by OS (A A) 23 March 1971.

NB Gallows recorded separately as NH89SW0005. <1>

Cholera Burial Ground (AD1832) appears to referred to small irregular enclosure W of track and to N of woodland at 280399 890298. <2>

A trial trench was excavated within the area of this enclosure during an evaluation in advance of proposed residential development (Trench 7, February 2008 - see related investigation EHG3043). A section of rubble walling was identified which is described as being oriented SW-NE. <3> Without access to a plan of the trench it is hard to draw conclusions from this, but it is possible that the wall was related to this burial enclosure. <4>

Sources/Archives (3)

  • <1> Verbal Communication: White, H. Comment by Hilary White, HC Archaeologist. 11/2002.
  • <2> Verbal Communication: White, H. Comment by Hilary White, HC Archaeologist. 03/2004.
  • <3> Text/Report/Fieldwork Report: Garry, N. 02/2008. Residential development, Earls Court Road, Dornoch, Sutherland: Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment and Evaluation. Alba Archaeology. Digital (scanned as PDF). p 6 and Photo Register.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Aug 7 2009 4:50PM

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