Ledmore Wood
Chambered Cairn (Neolithic)
Site Name Ledmore Wood
Classification Chambered Cairn (Neolithic)
Canmore ID 13819
Site Number NH68NE 2
NGR NH 6537 8944
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/13819
- Council Highland
- Parish Creich (Sutherland)
- Former Region Highland
- Former District Sutherland
- Former County Sutherland
NH68NE 2 6537 8944.
(NH 6537 8944) Chambered Cairn (NR)
OS 6" map, Sutherland, 2nd ed., (1907)
A chambered round cairn, which may have been horned, standing on a level site at the top of a steep moorland ridge, and measuring 55ft in diameter and about 6ft in height. It is of bare stone except where peat and heather have encroached round the edge. In the centre, a number of large slabs, apparently earthfast, protrude. They now form no recognisable plan but more of the structure probably remains under the disturbed cairn material. The most prominent stone, standing 3ft 6ins above the cairn surface is on the east side of the group.
A possible horn projects from the NW side of the cairn. It is about 10ft long, 17ft across the base and is outlined by stones. There were formerly (RCAHMS 1911) indications of a similar projection on the SE, but these are now very indefinite; none can be seen on the SW and the NE side has been disturbed by a rectangular construction. The cairn does not give the impression of having had horns and forecourt similar to other horned cairns in the county, but, on the other hand, there is no indication that the projection on the NW is part of a secondary construction.
RCAHMS 1911, visited 1909; A S Henshall 1963.
A chambered cairn as described.
Revised at 1:2500.
Visited by OS (R D L) 4 June 1963.
No change to previous reports.
Revised at 1:10,000.
Visited by OS (J B) 12 September 1980.
This cairn is as previously described. There is no evidence of recent disturbance.
S Carter and J Wordsworth (Headland Archaeology) 5 February 1997; NMRS MS 899/25, no.18
NH 66 90 (centre) A short-notice forestry survey was undertaken by Headland Archaeology Ltd over roughly 7.5sq km of land to the W of Spinningdale on the northern shore of the Dornoch Firth. A total of 28 features or groups of features of archaeological interest were recorded, 19 of which had previously been noted. The majority are post-medieval settlement sites (buildings, farmsteads and settlement sites) recorded first by the OS in 1874. The survey area and its immediate environs contain a notable concentration of chambered cairns, and a further example was discovered. This new site is heavily robbed but appears to be of a similar size and chamber type to the other examples in the area.
NH 6537 8944 Chambered cairn. (NMRS NH68NE 2)
Sponsor: Historic Scotland
S Carter 1997
Field Visit (27 July 1909)
84. Chambered Cairn, Ledmore Wood.
Just past the W. end of Ledmore Wood, and about 1 m. N. of the Dun of Creich, is a large cairn. Its diameter from N. to S. is some 47' and from E. to W. 52'. This appears to be a horned cairn. The horn projecting towards the NW. i8 quite distinct, the outline of stones being clearly visible. It appears to project about 10', and is about 17' broad at base. The horn to the SE. is indicated, but excavation is necessary to establish its existence. The diameter from the end of the NW. horn, across the cai1in to the SE., is 65'. At 30' in from the W. side is a broad flat slab, standing erect, measuring 4' 4" across, and to the SW. of it the top of another protrudes at right angles. These are evidently parts of a chamber.
Against the cairn, towards the NE., are the foundations of a small rectangular construction.
Some 40 yards W. of the cairn is a low mound [NH68NE 39], with a depression in the centre of about 4' 6” diameter and 1' 3" in depth. The enclosing bank of stones, overgrown with turf, is 3' to 4' in thickness.
Along the open area above Ledmore Wood, at about the 500' elevation, towards the W. end of the wood, are a number of small mounds.
OS Map, Sutherland, sheet cxi.
RCAHMS 1911, visited (AOC) 27th July 1909.
