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Oban, Uamh Nan Claigionn
Cave (Period Unassigned), Human Remains (Period Unknown), Brooch (Silver)(Period Unknown)
Site Name Oban, Uamh Nan Claigionn
Classification Cave (Period Unassigned), Human Remains (Period Unknown), Brooch (Silver)(Period Unknown)
Alternative Name(s) Cave Of The Skulls
Canmore ID 22946
Site Number NM82NW 2
NGR NM 8485 2936
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/22946
- Council Argyll And Bute
- Parish Kilmore And Kilbride
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Argyll And Bute
- Former County Argyll
NM82NW 2 8484 2936.
(NM 8485 2936) Uamh nan Claigionn (NAT)
OS 6"map, (1938)
(NM 8484 2936) Cave (NAT)
OS 1:10,000 map, (1976)
Uamh nan Claigionn: "Cave of the Skulls" - applies to a small cave. The entrance to the cave is just sufficient to admit the body of a man, but it is much larger inside, and a great quantity of human bones was taken from it a few years before 1870 (Ordnance Survey Name Book 1878). Tradition says they are the remains of 17th century raiders (Statistical Account [OSA] 1794). Mr Ferguson stated that about 1840 the interior of the cave was very large, but has since been filled with stones etc. (Name Book 1878).
Name Book 1878; OSA 1794; RCAHMS 1975.
This cave is little more than a narrow cleft. It has a narrow entrance,0.5m wide at the base, and is 1.1m high, narrowing to a point at the top. It extends 2.5m inwards and the height increases slightly to 1.6m. At the rear, it turns sharply to the right, but terminates almost immediately.
No information was encountered regarding finds in the cave.
Surveyed at 1/2500 scale.
Visited by OS (W D J) 2 December 1964.
NM 848 293 Archaeological investigative works were required in respect of the extension of Cardingmill Cottage, Oban. The area consists of landscaped ground at to the S of the existing cottage. An L-shaped area was opened of approximately 12 x 1m on 16 July 2007, corresponding to the southern and eastern limits of the development area. No archaeological significant features were recorded during the archaeological works.
Report deposited with WoSAS and archive with RCAHMS.
Funder: Mr Finlo Cottier.
Alan Matthews, 2007.
Note (1975)
On a number of occasions, particularly in the latter part of the 19th century, prehistoric burials, some of them in cists, have been discovered in Oban. The majority have been found in the northern part of the town, broadly between Breadalbane Street and Corran Park.
(9) NM 848 293. The Cave of the Skulls (Uamh nan Claigionn), which is situated just S of Oban on the Gallanach road, is mentioned in the Statistical Account in 1794 as containing a collection of human bones, traditionally associated with 17th century raiders, and a gold-headed cane and a silver brooch are said to have been found in it (1794, 126-7). In 1870 the Ordnance Survey Name Book recorded that 'a great quantity of human bones were taken from it a few years ago' (No.19, p.60-1). There is clearly nothing to suggest that thee remains were prehistoric.
RCAHMS 1975
Watching Brief (16 July 2007)
NM 848 293 Archaeological investigative works were required in respect of the extension of Cardingmill Cottage, Oban. The area consists of landscaped ground at to the S of the existing cottage. An L-shaped area was opened of approximately 12 x 1m on 16 July 2007, corresponding to the southern and eastern limits of the development area. No archaeological significant features were recorded during the archaeological works.
Report deposited with WoSAS and archive with RCAHMS.
Funder: Mr Finlo Cottier.
Watching Brief (1 August 2011 - 22 August 2011)
NM 8485 2940 A watching brief was carried out 1–22 August 2011 during site clearance associated with the construction of a new house at Cardentrive, Gallanach Road. The site, which is located close to the caves containing archaeological remains, was found to have been heavily disturbed at some point in the past and no significant archaeological features or finds were recorded.
Archive: Highland Archaeology Services
Funder: C Currie
Highland Archaeology Services 2011
