Monument record MHG57277 - Building - Loch Achonachie (Allt na Criche/Drumandarroch)

Distilling sites and potentially associated structures situated on a shoulder ground characterised by rock outcrops and dense heather ground cover above the enclosed fields at Drumindarroch farm to the NE. There are at least four probable still bothies and two other structures distributed above the N bank of the Allt na Criche (NOSAS Site Survey Nos 199 – 204 and 228). Presumably these features were associated with the production of illegal whisky.

200 Building (Fig 4)- NH 42247 55056 At an altitude of 90m high on an east facing slope in the lee of a crag and in a small re-entrant, this relatively hidden structure has a good prospect to the east. Birch woods and dense heather surround. It is a rectangular structure measuring 4.5m x 2.5m internally and on an E-W axis. The dry stone walls are intact with little tumble, they are 0.9m in height and 0.8m thick. There is an entrance in the W corner of the S wall. Of particular note is a strange feature constructed into the SE corner of the building. It is a small conical chamber, 0.6m in height and with the arc around the base measuring c.1.2m, tapering to the top where there is a sub-square aperture of 0.3m diameter. Considering its position and the other structures to be found in the surrounding landscape this structure may well be associated with the production of illegal whisky. It may be a look-out or a hiding place. It has been suggested that the feature in the SE corner is the support for a ?timber post. <1>