Raasay, Arnish

From Brochel runs the 1 ¾ mile Road to Arnish ('Calum's Road'), built single-handedly by the last remaining resident of Arnish, Calum Macleod, from about 1965 until 1974, with ongoing improvements until his death in 1988. From here, the depopulated north end of the island is still reached only on foot. At the remote township of Torran, the former school, opened 1839, closed 1967, is now a holiday home. Mission hall/house, late 19th century; in use until 1960s.

Taken from "Western Seaboard: An Illustrated Architectural Guide", by Mary Miers, 2008. Published by the Rutland Press http://www.rias.org.uk

NG54NE 28 centred 597 481

A township comprising fourteen roofed, one partially roofed, three unroofed buildings and an enclosure is depicted on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Inverness-shire, Isle of Skye 1881, sheet xxv). Nine roofed, one partially roofed, fifteen unroofed buildings, three enclosures, a sheep dip and some field walls are shown on the current edition of the OS 1:10000 map (1988).

Information from RCAHMS (SAH) 18 October 1996

NG 5980 4827 and NG 5950 4901. The survey of the townships of Arnish and Torran plus the surrounding area was carried out by ACFA in April 2000 as part of a continuing programme of recording the physical remains of human activity on Raasay.

NG 5980 4827 (centre) Arnish Township. The township of Arnish (NMRS NG54NE 28) lies at the end of the public road from Inverarish. The township is in two parts. The lower part lies to the N and W of a flat area, which has been drained at one time but is now returning to marshland. The upper part is situated on a terrace at 90m OD on the W-facing slopes of Meall Dearg Arnish.

The whole township consists of some 30 structures. These range from the substantial remains of two co-joined cottages, through various houses, byres and barns, to vestigial remains of small enclosures and structures of unknown purpose. In the lower township the structures, which do not appear on the 1st edition OS maps, are more complete, with windows and fireplaces.

A survey was carried out on the area from the Tairbeart N to the path from Fladda to Umachan and the following sites were recorded:

NG 5946 4750 Shieling.

NG 5945 4756 Peat workings; cairn.

NG 5951 4763 Peat cutter's hut; peat cuttings.

NG 5954 4771 Pen.

NG 5993 4783 Field system.

NG 5995 4795 Well.

NG 5997 4823 Pen or iodhlainn.

NG 5949 4850 Hut; boat shelter; slipway.

NG 6006 4816 Sheep pen.

NG 6009 4822 Sheep shelter.

NG 5992 4843 Sheep shelters/bothy or pens.

Full report will be lodged with the NMRS.

Sponsors: Glasgow Archaeological Society, CBA Challenge Funding.

J Macdonald and J Scott Wood 2001.