Achingoul
Broch (Iron Age)(Possible)
Site Name Achingoul
Classification Broch (Iron Age)(Possible)
Canmore ID 8344
Site Number ND15SW 1
NGR ND 1047 5463
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/8344
- Council Highland
- Parish Halkirk
- Former Region Highland
- Former District Caithness
- Former County Caithness
ND15SW 1 1047 5463
(ND 1047 5463) Mound (NR)
OS 6" map, Caithness, 2nd ed., (1907)
Situated on a gradual NE-facing slope is a low, circular, grass-covered mound, 24.0m in diameter, the probable remains of a broch. Overlooked on the W side it is defended there by a bank running NW to N, now 5.0m wide, its scarp being 0.8m high. Between this bank and the base of the broch is a level space some 2 to 3m wide. The entrance has been from the N, marked now by a slight hollow-way. 0.3m deep. The height of the mound is 0.6m above the level of the surrounding land; the circular depression, 0.6m deep, in the top of the mound marks the court. No walling is visible.
Visited by OS (E G C), 15 April 1962.
(ND 1047 5463) Broch (NR) (remains of)
OS 25" map, (1967)
The turf-covered remains of a broch, as described by the previous field investigator.
Visited by OS (J M), 10 November 1981
Mound, Achingoul. Diameter: 20m. Circular grassy mound with a subcircular platform on top measuring 10 x 8m. A bank is associated with the W side running N and NW, 5m wide and 0.8m high.
R J Mercer, NMRS, MS/828/19, 1995.
Publication Account (2007)
ND15 6 ACHINGOUL
ND/1047 5463
Possible broch in Halkirk, Caithness, consisting of a low, circular, grass-covered mound 24.0m in diameter which Swanson describes as a ring [2]. No traces of structures can be seen but there has been an outer defensive bank running from north-west to north and a hollow way on the north side may be the entrance. The plan [2] shows little.
Sources: 1. NMRS site no. ND 15 SW 1: 2. Swanson (ms) 1985, 653-54 and plan.
E W MacKie 2007
