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Aodann Mhor
Monastic Settlement (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Aodann Mhor
Classification Monastic Settlement (Period Unassigned)
Alternative Name(s) Seanchaisteal
Canmore ID 4952
Site Number NC46NW 5
NGR NC 4076 6932
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/4952
- Council Highland
- Parish Durness
- Former Region Highland
- Former District Sutherland
- Former County Sutherland
NC46NW 5 4076 6932
Not to be confused with Seanachaisteal promontory fort (NC 4055 6943), for which see NC46NW 51.
NC 407693. A pre-Norse monastic site occupies a peninsular rock lying parallel to the cliffs and can be approached only by a dangerous knife-edge of rock. The rock-surface measures 36 yards by 10 yards with a seaward slope of at least 45 and bears two terraced rows of contiguous turf huts roughly 10ft square and one foundation 10 by 20ft. There are eight huts in the upper row but the lower row has been almost removed by wave scour. Nettles growing in the floors of the huts probably indicate an occupation deposit. A turf parapet runs along the upper side of the rock. (cf: Kame of Isbister: HU39SE 4 etc).
Information contained in letter and plan from R G Lamb to OS 15 October 1971; R G Lamb 1971 and 1973.
This Celtic monastic site, defended on the landward side by a rampart of earth and stone, is as described and planned by Lamb.
Surveyed at 1:2500
Visited by OS (N K B) 16 September 1977.
Scheduled as Seanachaisteal, monastic settlement.
Information from Historic Scotland, scheduling document dated 21 May 1992.
Note (4 February 2015 - 13 December 2016)
A tiny promontory connected to the foot of the steep coastal escarpment S of Seanchaisteal (Atlas No.2781) by a razor-backed neck, is partly enclosed by a bank. Little more than an outcrop dipping down to the sea on the E, the bank extends along its upper lip, facing onto the coastal escarpment overlooking it from the W, The entrance is at the S end where the neck joins it from the W. Dipping steeply down to the sea on either side, the crest of the promontory measures no more than 30m in length from N to S by 10m in breadth and is occupied by two contiguous rows of terraced structures, most of them measuring about 3m square internally, and one about 6m by 3m. The promontory is thought to be an early monastic site.
Information from An Atlas of Hillforts of Great Britain and Ireland – 13 December 2016. Atlas of Hillforts SC2782
