Pricing Change
New pricing for orders of material from this site will come into place shortly. Charges for supply of digital images, digitisation on demand, prints and licensing will be altered.
Meikle Phoineas
Earthwork (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Meikle Phoineas
Classification Earthwork (Period Unassigned)
Alternative Name(s) Meikle Phoineas
Canmore ID 116678
Site Number NH54SW 26
NGR NH 528 444
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/116678
- Council Highland
- Parish Kirkhill
- Former Region Highland
- Former District Inverness
- Former County Inverness-shire
NH54SW 26 528 444
(On boundary between parishes of Kirkhill and Kilmorack).
NH 44/54 OS 528444No. 41 West of Meikle Phoineas.
In an area of old turf walls there is an approx. rectangular earth¬work about 35 yards x 22 yards, consisting of the outer ditch up-cast forming a raised platform of soil. The west corner (which is the easiest to examine) is sharper than a right-angle. The site is very eroded and is extremely difficult to trace owing to bushes and scrub birch etc. There has been digging close to the east side, this may have been to obtain soil for the infill. This may be the site of Paslaidh, which according to local tradition was an old Celtic church in this immediate area. If so, it must have been a very early timber and wattle structure. Local tradition also relates that there was a very ancient burial ground in the wood on the other and south side of the road near Brockies Corner (approx. OS 527441) which seems to be too far away from the earthwork. It is difficult to see this earthwork being constructed for a secular purpose as it is not in a good defensive position if used as a lookout for the Stockford of Ross. It may have been a practice construction, or connected with the Montrose wars, or a drovers' stance.
Coghill et al 1989
