Monument record MHG44807 - Crannog, Loch Borralan

Summary

No summary available.

Location

Grid reference Centred NC 2574 1138 (50m by 50m) (Buffered by site type)
Map sheet NC21SE
Geographical Area SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish ASSYNT
Old County SUTHERLAND

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

NC21SE 5 2574 1138.
An island, thought by MacIntyre to be artificial, lies in Loch Borralan in front of Altnacealgach Hotel (NC 2661 1083).
F O Blundell 1913. <1>

At NC 2574 1138, in N end of Loch Borralan, is an island and remains of causeway to it. The island, some 14m in diameter by 1.2m high, is level-topped and turf-covered; it sits in shallow water on a stony spit which shelves away sharply into deep water 2-4m out from island. Largish stones show in island shoreline, but not of a discernibly structured nature. The submerged causeway, some 10m long, is composed of large blocks, where best preserved in middle portion, is 1.3m wide.
The presence of causeway indicates a use of island, and latter in its regular plan, low profile, and general appearance leaves little doubt that it is a crannog.
Visited by OS (J M) 14 August 1980.

Visited by R Gourlay (Regional Archaeologist) in May 1987. No change to previous report.

Surveyed by the Assynt's Hidden Lives project in November 2009. This crannog appears as a circular flat-topped island approximately 8m from the shoreline of the loch. It is covered in grass with no trees. The island was about 15m in diameter and 1m high above the water line at the time of survey. A causeway is suggested from the east side connecting to the shoreline of the loch but due to high water levels it was inaccessible and therefore not wholly visible at the time of survey. No details of construction methods were visible from the shoreline.
Contour survey was conducted of this site as phase 2 of the fieldwork.<2>

Sources/Archives (3)

  • --- Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
  • <1> Text/Publication/Article: Blundell, F O. 1913. 'Further notes on the artificial islands in the Highland area', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 47 1912-13, p.257-302. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 257-302. 283.
  • <2> Text/Report/Fieldwork Report: Cavers, G & Hudson, G. 05/2010. Assynt's Hidden Lives: An archaeological survey of the the parish. AOC Archaeology Group and Historic Assynt. 01/08/2010. Digital. 13, p.71; p.55; fig. 52.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Record last edited

Sep 7 2010 3:03PM

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