Note
Date 4 February 2015 - 7 November 2016
Event ID 1044164
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Note
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1044164
The fortifications on Ben Griam Beg are remarkable for several reasons, amongst them being that at 580m OD they are the highest of any in Scotland, and are indeed amongst the most remote. The principle enclosure that can be seen extends from the foot of the summit boss westwards along the ridge enclosing an oval area measuring about 140m from E to W by 60m transversely (0.67ha) within a wall typically about 1.5m in thickness, but in places up to 2.5m. Eastwards the wall peters out on the edge of the rocky margin of the hill's SE spur, and though there is one short length of wall blocking a gully on the SW flank, and another on the crest 50m SE of the OS triangulation station, it is unclear to what extent this area was taken into the circuit; if these walls form elements of the circuit the overall area of this inner enclosure might have extended to as much as 1ha, while to the edge of the crags on the SE is an additional 0.11ha. Parts of the interior are covered in peat, while across large areas it is bare rock or strewn with stones, but midway along the S side there is at least one possible hut-circle. At least three entrances can be seen, two in the N side and one towards the E end of the S side, while a second gap in this side a little further to the W is thought to be more recent. In addition to this enclosure there are at least two annexes apparently springing from its perimeter on the N (0.3ha) and W (0.95ha), though their perimeters are constructed on a much slighter scale and there is no reason to regard them as part of a defensive scheme. Extending across the S flank of the hill for a distance of about 500m, however, between 90m and 120m lower down the slope, there is another monumental wall built with huge slabs and still standing up to 2m high. Its W end rests close to the rib of outcrop forming the crag known as Creag an Iolaire (the Eagle's Crag), while to the E it peters out amongst a cluster of small enclosures close to the lip of the steep and rocky E flank of the hill; its line is broken by numerous gaps that appear to be original. The cluster of enclosures noted at its E end is one of several around the S and and W flanks of the hill which seem to be made up of small plots or pounds, clearance heaps and possible hut-circles; elements of those on the S appear to have been cleared to build the huge wall across this flank.
Information from An Atlas of Hillforts of Great Britain and Ireland – 07 November 2016. Atlas of Hillforts SC2787
