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Loch Hope

Crannog (Period Unassigned)

Site Name Loch Hope

Classification Crannog (Period Unassigned)

Canmore ID 4897

Site Number NC45NE 22

NGR NC 473 587

NGR Description NC c. 473 587

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/4897

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
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Administrative Areas

  • Council Highland
  • Parish Durness
  • Former Region Highland
  • Former District Sutherland
  • Former County Sutherland

Archaeology Notes

NC45NE 22 c. 473 587

For possible crannog at NC c. 45 53, see NC45SE 2.

According to Mr Mayer, there is a 'stony island' in the area NC 473 587, some 40m to 50m off the E shore of Loch Hope. it is occasionally visible when the loch level is at its lowest, but could not be seen at the time of investigation, and no boat was available. Mr Mayer (D Mayer, Hope Lodge, by Tongue) describes it as a pile of stones about 30.0m across. He knows of no causeway, but his description neverthless indicates a crannog.

Visited by OS (N K B) 2 May 1980.

Activities

Underwater Archaeology (1 July 2010 - 29 July 2010)

NC 473 587 Underwater investigations from 1–29 July 2010

were directed towards examining island duns, crannogs or

‘island dwellings’ on North Uist, Benbecula and several

mainland sites in Sutherland and Argyll. One of the key aims

was to assess the artificiality of the islets and to examine the

loch bed surrounding the sites for archaeological material

or associated features such as causeways and harbours.

Another aim was to confirm or reject unverified sites, i.e.

uninspected possible crannogs.

Local reports of a crannog in Loch Hope were confirmed

after a local crofter directed me towards a buoy marking a

shallow spot in the loch. Underwater investigation revealed

a circular stony mound, 30m in diameter. This crannog is

completely artificial in nature, consisting of sub-angular

boulders averaging c0.3–0.6m in size. The mound rests on a

clear sandy bottom in c2.5m of water and no causeway was

detected. The site is c120m from the current shoreline and

the former loch level was possibly over a metre lower during

the site’s use. Another report of a crannog at the S end of

this large loch (9.5km in length) could not be confirmed

without substantial underwater investigation. However,

the confirmation of this site lends weight to the theory of

another submerged crannog in Loch Hope.

Report: RCAHMS (intended)

Funder: The 2010 GAMA Award courtesy of the Gatliff Trust

References

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