Following the launch of trove.scot in February 2025 we are now planning the retiral of some of our webservices. Canmore will be switched off on 24th June 2025. Information about the closure can be found on the HES website: Retiral of HES web services | Historic Environment Scotland
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
- Council Highland
- Parish Durness
- Former Region Highland
- Former District Sutherland
- Former County Sutherland
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.
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
