Achies
Broch (Iron Age)(Possible)
Site Name Achies
Classification Broch (Iron Age)(Possible)
Alternative Name(s) Achies 1
Canmore ID 8305
Site Number ND15NW 15
NGR ND 1364 5506
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/8305
- Council Highland
- Parish Halkirk
- Former Region Highland
- Former District Caithness
- Former County Caithness
ND15NW 15 1364 5506
(ND 1364 5506) Mound (NR)
OS 6" map, (1970)
This grass-covered hillock has a diameter of 90ft N-S by 80ft transversely. A considerable part of the mound has been removed from the E side. Its greatest elevation is about 8ft. The exposed building and depressions on the summit suggest that this is a broch (RCAHMS 1911). Uncertain broch (Graham 1949).
RCAHMS 1911; A Graham 1949
The grass-covered remains of this mound have been further disfigured and mutilated by a track on the S and by ploughing along the other sides so that it is now almost a square of 28.0m sides. No signs of building or walling were in evidence but it is suggestive of a cairn.
Resurveyed at 1:2500.
Visited by OS (R D) 16 February 1965
This mound is generally as described by the previous authorities. Although severely reduced on the S, it appears to be similar to the broch remains recorded on ND15NW 1 and ND15NW 13.
Visited by OS (J B) 24 December 1981
Mound. Diameter: 30m. Grass-covered circular mound 3m high, truncated on the S side.
R J Mercer, NMRS MS/828/19, 1995
Publication Account (2007)
ND15 3 ACHIES 1 (‘Achies’)
ND/1364 5506
Possible broch in Halkirk, Caithness, consisting of a mutilated grass-covered hillock 2.4m (8ft) high in which no clear structural remains are visible. It appears to be in the 'mound on mound' category [3]. The plan [3] shows little.
Sources: 1. NMRS site no. ND 15 NW 15: 2. RCAHMS 1911b, 31, no. 97: 3. Swanson (ms) 1985, 650-51 and plan.
E W MacKie 2007
