Alnessferry

NH66NE 6 c.6665 6600.

(A-NH 6666 6608) Encampments (NR), (B-NH 6677 6603) (Remains of),

(C-NH 6665 6596) (D-NH 6657 6586)

OS 6" map, Ross-shire, 1st ed., (1875)

('A', 'B', 'C') Encampments (NR). (Site of)

OS 6" map, Ross-shire, 2nd ed., (1907)

These are probably the sites of cairns removed by intensive cultivation. The Ordnance Survey Name Book (ONB, 1875) describes all four sites as being composed of sods and stones about 3' high on the outside and 1 1/2' on the inside.

When Woodham (1956) visited 'A', 'B' and 'C', two were under grass and one under corn. All that now remains is a very slight flattening of the ground on one of the grassed sites and a scattering of stones at the field edges.

Name Book 1875; A A Woodham 1956.

'A' - a slight rise in the ground at the published site. Located in a cultivated field, until recently under crop, the diameter of the swelling being approx. 20.0m containing a slight scatter of small stones.

'B' - no trace and no local knowledge of a cairn at this site.

'C' - located in a cultivated field, until recently under crop, there is a distinct rise, or swelling, in the ground measuring c.25.0m in diameter with a considerable stone content.

'D' - this site is now covered by a modern farm building. No local knowledge of a cairn having existed there.

Visited by OS (R B) 14 January 1966.

As described by Bruce except that no stones are now apparent. This is confirmed by Mr Macleod (J M MacLeod, Wester Ferryton, Balblair), who states that when the area was recently ploughed, site C was visible as a ring of light clay soil suggesting some kind of enclosure, rather than a cairn.

Visited by OS (N K B) 1 December 1970.