Monument record MHG30484 - Strathsteven

The coastal road between Caithness and Littleferry can be traced at Strathsteven between the broch, Carn Liath and Dunrobin Castle. The road was not metalled as far as we can tell and exists as a slight depression, more evident in some places than others. The direction of the road is marked with stone markers which occur every 100m or so.

The road was in use prior to the construction of the Great North Parliamentary Road in about 1810-20. The coastal road would have been used by drovers from Caithness & Sutherland in the 17th & 18th centuries, taking cattle to the crossing at Littleferry and on south to cattle markets.

Only one stone marker is still set upright and is made of sandstone, roughly shaped. It measures 0.5m high, and 15cm by 15cm at the base. Many other markers of similar construction are lying flat on the grass on the stretch of coastline at this location, some may not be in their original position due to car-racing and other activities over recent years.

Stone Road Markers:
a) NC 87598 01383, (rounded boulder, possible)
b) NC 87574 01384, (sandstone slab, angular, possible)
c) NC 87474 01396, (rounded boulder)
d) NC 87444 01393, (2 sandstone slabs, 71cm long, possible coffin rest)
e) NC 87329 01379, (fallen sandstone slab, photo)
f) NC 87234 01328, (only one set upright in original position, photo)
g) NC 87131 01273, (rounded sandstone slab, on W side)
h) NC 87086 01254, (possible clapper bridge slabs, several sst. Slab stones visible.

South from here, car- racing activites, path unclear, ridge visible to south.

NC 87065 01234, (3 sst. Stones, 2 with iron post footings & 1 with two drill holes, to E of track)
i) NC 86904 01169, (sst. Slab lying flat, positive marker, 60cm by 25cm)
j) NC 86784 01127, (sst. irregular boulder)
k)NC 86491 01040, (sst. Irregular slab, on N side)

Information supplied by J Aitken, Clyne Survey, 02/01/02.

J Aitken : 21/01/02