Archaeology Notes

Event ID 656453

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/656453

NF86SW 21 8152 6451

(NF 8154 6451) Standing Stone (NR)

OS 6" map, Inverness-shire, 2nd ed., (1904)

Although shown by the OS as a standing stone and thought by Beveridge (E Beveridge 1911) to be a chambered cairn, Henshall regards this antiquity as more likely to be a ruined circular house.

Stone walls stand 1ft 6ins above the level of the surrounding peat; outside diameter 31-34ft and interior 17-20ft. Several displaced slabs lie on the east side where was probably the entrance. Outside to the WSW is a probable well, with a length of walling running towards it (Information from MS of A S Henshall's 'Chambered Tombs of Scotland', Vol. 2, 33).

The two large parallel slabs (Standing Stone - OS) set on edge outside the structure to the E and thought by Beveridge to be part of an entrance chamber, are considered by Henshall to be inexplicable in either interpretation of the monument: there is no evidence of the extensive robbing from the centre of the site which the cairn theory pre-supposes.

E Beveridge 1911; Visited by OS (D S and F R) 22 July 1956.

NF 8152 6451. The grass-covered remains of this probable cairn, measuring 10.5m NW to SE by 9.0m transversely, survive to a height of 0.6m Several large slabs of stone lie immediately outside the E periphery, and a further two earthfast parallel slabs measuring 1.5m x 1.9m x 0.3m and 0.9m x 1.1m x 0.2m respectively, are all possibly spoil from the chamber. Numerous other stones were found outside the probable entrance in the E side of the cairn.

No trace was found of the well mentioned by A S Henshall, and only two small earthfast stones were seen of the 'walling' running to the west side of the cairn. Two small oval cells - probably shielings - were seen in the central area of the cairn and obviously post-date it.

A modern cairn, c. 2.0m high, has been built on the N arc.

From its position, it is more likely to be a cairn than a ruined circular house as suggested by Henshall.

Surveyed at 1/2500.

Visited by OS (R B), 17 June 1965.