Monument record MHG43390 - Achlean

Visited Monday 23rd June 2003. Weather - overcast but fine. This site is a working farm of two substantial roofed buildings, there is much evidence of current use for cattle and sheep rearing and it would appear that much of the evidence for previous structures on the site has been destroyed. The site is situated on a terrace above the valley floor in a sheltered position. It appears on Roys map of 1750 and on 1st edition OS survey, where there are 3 roofed buildings, 3 unroofed buildings, and 2 enclosures.

Structure A - NN 85175 98134
A rectangular platform, 10m x 3m, on a NW-SE axis, defined by an embankment on its SW side and low turf linear banks on the NE and NW side, these are 0.1-0.2m in height and 1m in width. Heather covered.

Structure B
15m to SE of previous structure there is a possible small structure in the deep heather. On same alignment, it appears as an oval depression 4m x 2m x 0.5m deep, although surrounding turf banks can be discerned 0.3m in height and 1.5m in width

Structure C - NN 85152 98090
Small rectangular structure on a NW-SE axis measuring internally 5m x 2.5m. Remains of stone and turf wall footings rise to 0.2m and are 0.8m in width. Rounded corners. Covered in nettles!!

Enclosure D - NN 85072 97990
Large rectangular enclosure on a NNE-SSW axis, 45m x 18m. Appears to have had recent use, although it has been superseded by fenced enclosure. Remains of stone walls are variable - 0.2-0.4m in height, but 1m in the north. Abutting the west wall there is the remains of a building and a further building abuts the north wall. (see plan)

Structure E - NN 85059 97986
Rectangular building on a NNE-SSW axis, the main compartment measures 11m x 3m. East wall forms part of the west wall of the enclosure and has a couple of courses of well constructed stonework to 0.3-0.5m in height and 1m in width, tumble to the inside of the building. The west wall is a low linear earth bank to 0.1m, with some stonework, south wall similar but more substantial rising to 0.3m. No evidence of entrances. There may be a possible small byre attached to the north, internal measurements ?2.5m x 3m, evidenced by possible stone settings.

Structure F - NN 85079 98023
A rectangular building on a WNW-ESE axis, measuring 18m x 4m, appears as a shallow depression. The remains only of its south wall exist, forming the north wall of the enclosure. These mortared wall footings are more evident at the east end where there is a roofed timber shack and many small fenced areas probably connected with penning sheep. No evidence of entrances to the building and no evidence of west and north walls, but there is a cobbled area at the west end 3m x 4m.

Clearance Cairn G - NN 84906 97969
On the valley floor below the farmstead. 10m x 3m x 0.8m in height. Remains of a stone boundary stretches away to the NW

Photographs
1. A from east (also A from south)
2. C from east
3. D (north part) and F from SE
4. D (south part) and E from SE
5. E from NNE
6. E from south (also Cairn G fromSE)
Recorded by M. Marshall - June 2003

Created automatically by NMRS Register Utility
User: Admin, Date: Fri 10 Mar 2000
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NN89NE 2 8519 9758

A township, comprising three roofed buildings, three unroofed buildings, two enclosures and a head-dyke is depicted on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Inverness-shire 1872, sheet ciii). One roofed, one unroofed building, four enclosures and a head-dyke are shown on the current edition of the OS 1:10000 map (1971).
Information from RCAHMS (AKK) 22 July 1996.