Allt Dionach

NH64SW 31 603 421

NH 64/74 OS 603421 No. 32 E.S.E. of Cnoc na Moine.

Up a short distance from where the two burns meet there is a flat bottomed ditch 6 feet wide with the up-cast to each side. This ditch runs south westwards from the Allt Dionach burn for 20 yards. If one continues in a S.W. direction and roughly parallel to the turf/ stone dyke (which is a short distance to the south), there is a deep cross ditch 28 yards long. Further S.W. there is what appears to b a boat-shaped earthwork 25 yards x 10 yards with a ditch on each side Further S.W. there is another indefinite earthwork, and further S.W still there is a prominent mound 3 feet high and 5 yards in diameter This mound is opposite a large stone 7 yards to the south. This stone is situated in a flat bottomed ditch which appears to vary from 6 to 9 feet in width. This ditch is roughly parallel to the turf/ stone dyke, and can be traced from the indefinite earthwork to where at its S.W. end it curves northwestwards round a D-shaped mound 17 yards in diameter. This mound stands 3 feet high from the bottom o the ditch at the south side. In this area and on the other and south side of the turf/stone dyke, there is a very prominent U-shaped earthwork which is probably modern. The other earthworks may be military as in this area may be the now unknown site of Mam Garbh, where William the Lion defeated Donald MacWilliam in July 1187, which preceded the Anglo-Norman feudalisation of the Aird.

Coghill et al 1989

NH 598 427 (centre) A rapid archaeological survey was undertaken on the site of a proposed Woodland Grant Scheme. The survey was partially limited due to existing planting and harvesting. No sites other than those previously recorded were noted.

Full report lodged with Highland SMR and the NMRS.

Sponsor: Smiths Gore Chartered Surveyors.

S Farrell 2001