Monument record MHG55420 - Short cist, south west of Spinningdale Mill

In September 2011 the Highland Council Historic Environment Team (HET) was notified of human remains that had been found during excavations for a septic tank and associated services. A HET archaeologist attended the site and found the remains to be contained in a typical Bronze Age short cist, well constructed with good-sized slabs. The skull was in situ, lying on its right hand side (suggesting a crouched inhumation) with surviving teeth, a fragment of pottery and what appeared to be a pillow stone. The cap stone had been removed and was elsewhere on the site. No other bones or grave goods were visible. The location of the cist is typical, with stunning and commanding views straight up the Dornoch Firth and out towards the sea.
At the time of the visit the site was in a fairly fragile condition, the cist being located at the bottom of a 6ft deep hole or which one side had partially collapsed. Work was continuing on site close to the open excavation. The cist was re-covered with tarpaulin on the recommendation of the Council archaeologist. <1>

<1> Highand Council, 09/2011, Email correspondence between Andrew Puls, HC Archaeologist, and Roderick Mcullagh, Historic Scotland (Text/Correspondence). SHG25595.