Monument record MHG41552 - Cnocan Nan Cobhar, short cist

Summary

A short cist containing a beaker which was inserted in a chambered cairn and is still in situ.

Location

Grid reference Centred NG 5526 1735 (4m by 4m) (Estimated from sources)
Map sheet NG51NE
Geographical Area SKYE AND LOCHALSH
Old County INVERNESS-SHIRE
Civil Parish STRATH

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

NG51NE 7 5526 1734.

(NG 5526 1734) Cnocan nan Cobhar (NAT) Cairn (NR)
OS 6"map, (1965)

A ?long cairn, an imposing mound of bare stones, somewhat overgrown and bearing some trees, oval in plan, measuring 72' NW-SE by 58' across and 15' high with steep sides.
A large part of the SW side has been removed but no internal structure has been revealed, except that about 8' from the SE end there is one upright stone which is exposed on its SE face for 1', and near the base at the W side of the NW end there are several relatively small displaced flat slabs round a small cavity.
In 1926 a short cist containing a beaker (S.3.(E) type), now in the NMAS (EG 60) was discovered near the top of the cairn, its capstone covered by little more than a layer of stones.
OS 1st edition 6" appears to be the only authority for the name "Cnocan na Cobhar" (Hillock of the Froth or Foam), all other authorities favouring "Cnocan nan Gobhar" (Hillock of the Goats).
J G Callander 1928; RCAHMS 1928, visited 1914; D L Clarke 1970; A S Henshall 1972.

Cnocan nan Gobhar: a large (probably chambered) round cairn with dimensions as given; it is not a long cairn. The cist is still in situ and is clearly secondary. On the SE side, near the base of the cairn, robbery has exposed what appears to be drystone walling, possibly part of an entrance facade.
Visited by OS (A C) 18 April 1961.

Sources/Archives (6)

  • --- Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
  • <1> Text/Publication/Article: Callander, J G. 1928. 'A beaker from a short cist in a long cairn at Kilmarie, Skye', Proc Soc Antiq Scot, Vol 62 (1927-28), pp 22-6.
  • <2> Text/Report: RCAHMS. 1928. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Scotland. Ninth report with inventory of monuments and constructions in the Outer Hebrides, Skye and the Small Isles. . 213, No. 662.
  • <3> Text/Publication/Volume: Clarke, D L. 1970. Beaker pottery of Great Britain and Ireland. Vol. 2, 518, No. 1672.
  • <4> Text/Publication/Monograph: Henshall, A S. 1972. The chambered tombs of Scotland, Volume 2. 2. Paper (Original). 482-3, SKY 4.

Finds (1)

Protected Status/Designation

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Dec 11 2009 1:33PM

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