Monument record MHG7114 - Creag A' Chaisteil

Summary

No summary available.

Location

Grid reference Centred NH 6697 5064 (80m by 80m) (Buffered by site type)
Map sheet NH65SE
Geographical Area ROSS AND CROMARTY
Old County ROSS-SHIRE
Civil Parish KNOCKBAIN

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

NH65SE 7 6697 5064.
NH 6697 5065) Earthwork (NR) OS 6" map, (1959)

This fort consists of a single wall of earth and stone surrounding a rocky plateau, measuring 54' NE-SW x 45'.
On SW side where the natural defence is weakest, wall consists of stones only, and these are of large size, forming a formidable barrier 5' high in places. The entrance appears to have been on the SE where there are traces of a very steep access path.
A J Beaton 1883; A A Woodham 1956.

A sub-circular dun, occupying the summit of a knoll, naturally defended by a crag in NE and rocky slopes in NW and-SE. It measures overall c21m NW-SE by c18m. The base course of the outer wall face, composed mainly of conglomerate blocks, is visible around most of the perimeter, and in the W the face survives to a maximum height of 1.4m and four courses. The inner face is visible only on W side for a distance of c4m. The wall appears to increase from c1.8m in NE to c2.8m in SW. The position of entrance is not clear. At obvious place in SW where the wall thickens at the easiest approach, base course of outer face is unbroken, but there is a dip in wall, and stones may represent a threshold. In SE, there is a square outer facing stone which could be corner-stone of NE side of entrance, but the lack of other evidence and the steep approach up sloping outcrop makes this uncertain. The "access path" is a natural declivity.
Revised at 1/2500. Visited by OS (N K B) 21 March 1966 and 27 November 1970.

Sources/Archives (3)

  • --- Text/Publication/Article: Beaton, A J. 1883. 'Notes on ancient fortifications in the Black Isle, Ross-shire', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 17 1882-3, p.414-23. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 414-23. 422-3; plan.
  • --- Text/Report: RCAHMS. 1979. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. The archaeological sites and monuments of the Black Isle, Ross and Cromarty District, Highland Region. . 15, No. 77.
  • --- Text/Publication/Article: Woodham, A. A.. 1956. A survey of prehistoric monuments in the Black Isle. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Vol. 88 (1953-55). 65-93. p 83.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

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Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Jan 15 2010 1:54PM

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