Islay, Lower Coillabus
Battle Site (Period Unknown)(Possible), Quern (Stone), Sword (Bronze)(Bronze Age)
Site Name Islay, Lower Coillabus
Classification Battle Site (Period Unknown)(Possible), Quern (Stone), Sword (Bronze)(Bronze Age)
Alternative Name(s) Leannan Buidhe; Leannan Buidhu
Canmore ID 37642
Site Number NR34SW 9
NGR NR 317 434
NGR Description NR c. 317 434
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/37642
- Council Argyll And Bute
- Parish Kildalton And Oa
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Argyll And Bute
- Former County Argyll
NR34SW 9 c. 317 434
NR c. 317 434. A Late Bronze Age (Ewart Park type) bronze sword was found in December 1885 when cutting a drain at Leannan Buidhe, on Lower Coilabus farm. Excavations around the find spot by Mrs Ramsay produced no further finds or evidence of structures. The sword was destroyed by a fire at Kildalton House.
There is a local tradition that a great battle was fought at NR 318 438. Other items from Coillabus which were in the collection of Mrs Ramsay were two husking mortars and a lower quern-stone.
Proc Soc Antiq Scot 1886; J M Coles 1962; Information from Mrs Ramsay;
F Celonia 1960.
Found while cutting a drain through peat in a hollow called Leannan Buidhu. The sword was about 85cm below the surface with the point facing downwards. Complete sword, length 59cm, terminal width 3.5cm, shoulder width 5.2cm, maximum blade width 4.6cm, rivets 2:4, none in situ. Donated to Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in 1885 but present whereabouts unknown.
C B Burgess and I Colquhoun 1988.
