Achanarnich 1

There are three groups of cup-and-ring markings in the vicinity of Achanarnich (Campbell and Sandeman 1964).

(1) This dispersed group of markings is situated towards the middle of a whale-backed ridge 135m SW of Achanarnich and comprises one cup with four rings, one cup and three rings, three cups with two complete or partial rings, seventeen cups with single rings and some fifty-nine plain cupmarks. Of particulra note are two unusually broad and shallow cups, one surrounded by a partial ring and the other plain (Morris 1975).

Visited June 1985

RCAHMS 1988

RCAHMS surveyed Achanarnich cup-and-ring markings on 20 June 1979 with plane-table and alidade producing a plan at a scale of 1:100. The plan of the cup-and-ring markings was redrawn in ink and published at a scale of 1:250 (RCAHMS 1988a, 86).

Date Fieldwork Started: 18/07/2019

Compiled by: Leac

Location Notes: This panel is on a large rocky outcrop which forms a whaleback ridge situated in rough grazing within undulating hilly terrain which rises to the SE of the panel. The road is within 1m of the panel, with a set of stairs leading up to the panel. The land slopes down to the sea 300m NW and has are extensive views over Bagh Ban and the rugged coastline to the N and W. A large white house (Achanarih House) is situated 150m to the NE and is visible from the panel. One side of the slopes to the E and the other forms a steep cliff-like drop to the road. Achanarnich 2 and 3 (Grouped under ScRAP ID 2063, Canmore 22583) were not located in the field but are believed to be within 400m of Achanarnich 1, and to the SW of Achanarnich House. This panel remains in its original context and there is much bracken and gorse bushes surrounding it, however, access is relatively easy.

Panel Notes: This panel is a large outcrop that rises a maximum of 2m from the ground and has a sheer drop along one edge. Its longest axis is 9.1m from N-S and slopes at 10 degrees, its width is 6.3m and slopes at 20 degrees N. There are many large natural hollows that fill with water, and numerous fissures. At the bottom of the hollows there were small quartz deposits and in some of the fissures there are visible veins of quartz. There are 73 motifs, including 57 small cupmarks and 4 larger cups, 8 cups with 1 ring and 1 cup with 3 rings. There are also 3 oval shaped rings. The cup with 3 rings is found at the E side of the panel. The panel required removal of moss and vegetation to see some motifs, with a large amount of gorse possibly covering other motifs on the sides.