Scanned image of watercolour drawing of six objects including a a decorated piece of pottery and stone disc. Annotated on reverse 'Ballacharn'.

Description Scanned image of watercolour drawing of six objects including a a decorated piece of pottery and stone disc. Annotated on reverse 'Ballacharn'.

Date c. 1904 to 1905

Collection Papers of John Nicolson, antiquarian, Keiss, Caithness, Scotland

Catalogue Number SC 876615

Category On-line Digital Images

Scope and Content Watercolour of bone, stone and clay objects from Bail a' Chairn broch, Caithness, Highland Bail a' Chairn broch, also known as 'Acharole' or 'Ballacharn', Watten, Caithness, is now a conspicuous grassy mound on flat land with stones protruding through the turf. The site was excavated by Sir Francis Tress Barry (1825-1907) in 1904, but was filled in before the excavation was completed by order of the proprietor. This watercolour by John Nicolson (1843-1934) shows a number of objects that are recorded as being from a site called 'Ballaharn'. The drawing shows a stone spindle whorl for textile making (top right), a piece of pottery (centre), a piece of antler which may have been a handle (bottom), a tooth from a wolf or dog (top left), and two other bone objects of unknown function. It is likely that these artefacts were discovered during excavations at Bail a' Chairn broch. If this is the case, then Nicolson's drawing is of special importance, as there are no other records of finds being recovered from the broch. Nicolson also drew plans and elevations of Bail a' Chairn broch. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/876615

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap