Site type CULTIVATION REMAINS, ENCLOSURE, FARMSTEAD, STORAGE PIT, TOWNSHIP
Canmore ID 103090
Site Number NH25SW 6
NGR NH 2180 5140
Council HIGHLAND
Parish CONTIN
Former Region HIGHLAND
Former District ROSS AND CROMARTY
Former County ROSS AND CROMARTY

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Archaeological Notes

A township, farmstead, storage pits, enclosure and cultivation remains situated at the W end of Loch Beannacharain and above the S bank of the River Meig. The township extends across a N facing slope and comprises thirteen buildings and a probable cornkiln. In addition there are five enclosures, at least twenty pits which are probably potato clamps, numerous sections of earth and stone dykes, trackways and extensive associated cultivation remains.

The E part of the site (Nosas Site Survey Nos 550-565) is more sheltered and contains the footings of a number of substantial rectangular stone buildings, although there is also the remains of a potentially earlier turf walled building, probably a shieling hut, on the S edge of the group.

Across the more exposed W side of the site (Nosas Site Survey Nos 528-548) the buildings, including a possible kiln barn, are less well preserved and have the appearance of belonging to an earlier phase of occupation, with many buildings clearly having been robbed of stone. There are the remains of a small farmstead within an enclosure on the W side of the site (Nosas Site Survey Nos 531 & 532).
Of particular note are the large number of storage pits on this part of the site which are situated along the edge of a terrace. They vary in size between 1- 2 m in diameter and 0.3 - 0.8 m in depth.

Located some 150m W of the farmstead are the stone footings of two more buildings and an enclosure.

Roy's map of c.1750 records the settlement as “Scard” whilst an estate plan of 1825 names it as Achiness.

Information from North of Scotland Archaeology Society.

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