Monument record MHG54439 - Farmstead, enclosure and clearance cairns - Loch Achonachie

Loch Achonachie Farmstead,enclosure and clearance cairns (NOSAS Survey Site Nos 029 and 030) is located on the N edge of Loch Achonachie at the bottom of grassy S facing slope in an area of clear felled trees traversed by power lines. It is depicted as roofed and named as Cul an Torra on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Ross-shire 1881, sheet lxxxvii)which also shows extensive arable land S of the farmstead bordering the original course of the River Conan. This land is now submerged under the Loch Achonachie resevoir but immediately W of the farmstead building is a further area of improved ground with several clearance cairns. The 1861 census records 2 households at Cul an Torra, after which it is described as deserted. The farmstead building (030)is located at NH 43771 54992 and is now heavily overgrown. It measures approximately 16m x 6m overall on an E-W alignment and comprises two compartments, with the larger dwelling at the W end measuring 10m x 4m internally. Well constructed dry stone walls some 0.8 thick are mostly ruinous but still stand to a height of 1.2m in places and there is a cruck slot visible in the N wall. The footings of an outshot, possibly a byre are appended at the E end and measures 3.5m x 3m internally. On the N side of the steading are the remains of the sub-rectangular enclosure (029) depicted on the 1881 map. Turf and stone walls stand to an average height of 0.5m with a spread of 1.0m. and enclose a number of clearance cairns at NH 43782 55020 and at NH 43772 55016, beneath which the possible footings of an earlier building are visible along the S side. <1>