Ardnamurchan, Camas Nan Geall

Camas nan Geall (bay of strangers) Ardnamurchan's long history of settlement can be traced through the rich layers of material evidence scattered about this unexpectedly fertile crescent in the lee of volcanic Ben Hiant (Beinn Shianta - holy mountain). Vestigial chambered cairn, parts of chamber evident but most cairn stones looted for later buildings. To the south, two graveyards, most notable the burial ground of the Campbells of Ardslignish, 18th century, with limemortared rubble masonry enclosing, among other fragments, two fine ogee-pedimented headstones carved with cherubs' heads. One stone depicts the Crucifixion in high relief, the other, dated 1737, a Campbell coat of arms flanked by reeded pilasters. Standing stone to south-west, one face carved with Early Christian motifs: a dog between two crosses. To the south (near Ardslignish farmhouse), old burying ground, now little more than a turf-walled enclosure. On the western headland, fragments of an Iron Age promontory fort. Around the bay, the evolution of the local dwelling types that superseded creel houses is well represented. Structures surviving in ruin include the round-angled, chimneyless stone house which had cruck couples and thatch, and the post-clearance 'improved' shepherd's cottage, with gables and slated roof. Sheep fanks built of stones from abandoned dwellings symbolise 19th century changes in land use and settlement.

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

NM56SE 5 5545 6160.

(NM 5545 6160) Fort (NR)

OS 1:10,000 map, (1974)

Fort, Camas nan Geall: Situated on the end of a narrow coastal promontory immediately to the W of Camas nan Geall there are the fragmentary remains of a stone-walled fort. The position is one of

great natural strength, being protected on all sides except the N by precipitous rock-faces up to 14m in height. Measuring internally about 30m from N to S by a maximum of 18m transversely, the fort has been defended by two stone walls, the innermost of which has been drawn across the promontory for at least 15m along the irregualar margin of the summit area on both the E and W. Much of the wall appears to have collapsed over the edge of the cliff, the tumbled debris still being visible on the shore below, but an arc of grass-covered rubble and a few short stretches of the outer face have survived on the NW, together with two isolated scatters of core-material in the middle of each of the long sides; it is uncertain whether any defences were constructed round the rest of the perimeter. The entrance was most probably situated on the N, commanding the approach across the narrow neck.

About 18m to the N of the fort there are the denuded remains of the outer wall, drawn across the promontory on the crest of a low scarp; it has been reduced to a spread of stony debris in which several boulders of exceptionally large size, presumably displaced facing-stones, can still be seen. The entrance appears to have been located at the W end of the wall, between two rock outcrops. The isolated boulders situated on level ground between the two walls probably represent the ruined foundations of some secondary enclosure of recent date.

Surveyed at 1:10,000

Visited by OS {N K B} 8 June 1970.

RCAHMS 1980, visited 1972

A promontory fort on typological grounds dating to the iron age is sited on the naturally defensive headland. The site is now fairly ruinous. This has been a desk assessment area.

J Wordsworth, SSSIs, Scottish Natural Heritage, 1993.