Skye, Duntulm

NG47NW 4 4327 7549.

A rare type of bronze armlet was found by a crofter digging in a peat-bog in the Island of Skye. It is a massive armlet in the shape of a snake - a splendid example of late Celtic art. Only five other bronze spiral armlets of this kind have been found, and all in Scotland (Pitalpin, near Dundee, in 1732: Culbin Sands about 1827: Bunrannoch, Schiehallion, in 1833; West Grange of Conan in 1874; but no record attached to the fifth which, with the others , is in the National Museum).

The overall diameter of the armlet is about 3 ins. Across the four coils the height measures about two inches. Its weight is about 18 1/2 ozs. The middle coil in all these six armlets is boldly ornamented. In this Skye example the ornament consists of a succession of 28 oval bosses, separated from each other by a very thin ellipse.

The armlet was found at Duntulm c.1952, by James Matheson. The armlet was found at Blar-an-t-siorram, c. NG 434 756. It was, according to the finder, J Matheson, Aird, Kilmaluag, "well down in the second peat," about 2 1/2' below the surface and there were no associated finds. Acc. No. FA 98. Dateable to 2nd. c. AD. (Information from NMAS exhibit card) Information from TS of J Harrison-Maxwell (illustion) and information contained in letter from J Close-Brooks to OS 4 August 1971.

The find spot in peat digging at NG 4327 7549 was pointed out on the ground by Mr J Matheson, the finder.

Surveyed at 1:2500.

Visited by OS (I S S) 10 September 1971.

Information from Illustrated London News, April 1953, 580.