Oban, Loch A' Mhuillin
Crannog (Period Unknown)
Site Name Oban, Loch A' Mhuillin
Classification Crannog (Period Unknown)
Canmore ID 22883
Site Number NM82NE 1
NGR NM 8573 2936
NGR Description Centred at 8573 2936
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/22883
- Council Argyll And Bute
- Parish Kilmore And Kilbride
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Argyll And Bute
- Former County Argyll
NM82NE 1 centred 8573 2936.
(NM 8573 2936) Crannog (NR) (Site of)
OS 1:10,000 map, (1977)
A crannog was discovered in 1888 during draining operations at Loch a' Mhuillin. A stone structure measuring about 26 metres by 16.2 metres was found to be resting on a platform of horizontal timbers consolidated by a number of upright piles. During examination of the site, a number of human and animal bones were recovered. There are now no surface indications of the crannog and its precise position is not known.
RCAHMS 1975, visited 1967; F O Blundell 1913; Visited by OS (W D J) 3 December 1964.
Field Visit (May 1970)
NM c. 857 293. A crannog was discovered in 1888 during draining operations at Loch a' Mhuillin, then an area of marshland just S of Oban and close to the Railway Engine Shed (The Oban Times, 5 May 1888 and 15 June 1889; PSAS, xlvii (1912-13), 288. See also pl. 76 (‘Mill Loch’)). A stone structure measuring about 26 m by 16'2 m was found to be resting on a platform of horizontal timbers consolidated by a number of upright piles. During the examination of the site a number of human and animal bones were recovered. There are now no surface indications of the crannog and its precise position is not known.
RCAHMS 1975, visited May 1970.
Field Visit (March 2022)
NM 84620 28620 A pre-afforestation walkover survey was conducted over two adjoining parcels of land at Glenshellach, Oban, in March 2022. In 1991, the area was part of a larger area that was surveyed for earthworks and upstanding archaeological remains and 15 sites of archaeological interested were recorded within the ownership boundary. However, during this walkover survey the majority of the previously recorded sites could not be located. Eleven sites of archaeological or historical interest were recorded within the area surveyed and the location of Lower Gleann-Sheileach farm and well, and the findspot of a battle axe and cinerary urns were also noted. The newly recorded sites mostly comprised field banks/walls and numerous areas of rig cultivation.
1 NM 85012 28966 Bank, 1.5m wide and 0.5m high. Orientated N/S. Can be seen on aerial photos.
2 NM 85109 28969 Bank, 80m long, 1m high and 2m wide. Orientated NE/SW.
3 NM 84681 28426 Possible house platform previously recorded in roughly this location (Canmore ID: 80478). Could be area of flattish ground 5 x 4m, slightly raised, not convincing.
4 NM 84341 28341 Previously recorded as a building (Canmore ID: 80484). Comprises four small boulders forming a semi-circle. Possibly circular structure measuring 4 x 4m and 0.3m in height. Slight platform.
5 NM 84722 28723 Low curvilinear bank. Earthen. Orientated E/W. 0.4m high and 1–1.5m wide.
6 NM 84871 28833 Possible clearance cairn (Canmore ID: 80584). 3 x 3m and 0.3m high, moss covered.
7 NM 84956 29102 Intersection between drystone wall running SE/NW and low bank running SW/NE. Wall 0.5m high and bank
1.5m wide and 0.3m high.
8 NM 84512 28799 Possible enclosure. Faint hint of enclosing bank, 20m lower cutting off rocky knoll. Bank 0.1m high and 1m wide. Orientated N/S.
9 NM 84366 28588 Defunct drystone wall, 0.5m high and 0.6m wide. Orientated NE/SW. Shown on map.
10 NM 84329 28595 Short stretch of wall. Orientated N/S, 0.3m high and 1m wide.
11 NM 85157 28758 Track/path orientated N/S. 1m wide. Stone wall on southeastern side. Stone wall shown on 1st Edition OS map.
12 NM 84950 28980 Cairnfield (Canmore ID: 80570). Nothing seen at given location.
13 NM 84840 29080 (Canmore ID: 80463) Site. Nothing seen at given location.
14 NM 84710 28330 Gate piers (Canmore ID: 80589) On the southern side of the road.
15 NM 84580 28250 Clearance cairns (Canmore ID: 80559) On the southern side of the road.
16 NM 85200 28800 Battle axe, cinerary urn(s) Findspot (Canmore ID: 22883). Nothing visible.
17 NM 85270 28830 Clearance cairn (Canmore ID: 80620). Nothing seen at given location.
18 NM 85210 28770 Clearance cairn (Canmore ID: 80628). Nothing seen at given location
19 NM 85140 28700 Buildings (Canmore ID: 80606). Nothing seen at given location. Farmstead marked on 1st Edition OS map.
20 NM 84620 28620 Site (Canmore ID: 80585). Nothing seen at given location.
21 NM 84540 28680 Site (Canmore ID: 80464). Nothing seen at given location.
22 NM 84530 28760 Enclosure (Canmore ID: 80594). Nothing seen at given location.
23 Rig. Large areas of rig cultivation were recorded from satellite images on the southeastern side of the surveyed area.
Archive: NRHE (intended) Funder: Scottish Woodlands Ltd
Clare Ellis – Argyll Archaeology
(Source: DES Volume 23)
