Alternative Names Glencalyie; Glencaillich; Gleann Cailliche; Tigh Na Cailliche
Site type SHIELING HUT(S) (POSSIBLE), SHRINE
Canmore ID 23898
Site Number NN34SE 1
NGR NN 3805 4271
Council PERTH AND KINROSS
Parish FORTINGALL
Former Region TAYSIDE
Former District PERTH AND KINROSS
Former County PERTHSHIRE

Canmore Mapping
View this site on a map

Archaeological Notes

NN34SE 1 3805 4271.

NN 3805 4271. 'Tigh na Cailliche' (A L F Rivet, 1961) or 'Taigh-nam- Bodach' (A C Thomas and A Ross) is a simple pagan shrine.
Shielings in the area were in use until after 1782 and the inhabitants regularly thatched it. Within there were twelve stones resembling human beings, perhaps associated with St Meuran and his eleven disciples (D Campbell 1888).
The biennial rethatching of the shrine continued down to the present century and is paralleled by early traditions of ritual at a temple in France (A Ross 1967).

'Taigh-nam-Bodach' is a small stone-built structure, roughly rectangular and measuring 2.0m x 1.3m with walls 0.4m high, with an entrance to the east, and roughly roofed with stone slabs. Three of the 'figures' are at the entrance and three other possible figures are among the stones of the roof. These figures are pieces of sandstone weathered into a rough resemblance to human figures.
There are no local traditions regarding their origin but Mr Bissett (gamekeeper) still puts the figures inside the hut in the winter and takes them out in the spring. This action has vague associations with good weather (Scots Mag 1979).
Two possible shielings are visible to the east and north-east but they are too ruinous for certain identification.
Visited by OS (EG) 12 July 1962

Not visited. Access was refused due to deer-shooting, but the staff in the Meggernie Estate Office state that the shrine is unchanged.
Visited by OS (RD) 9 September 1969

Tigh nam Bodach (NR)
OS 6" map (1968)

Campbell, D (1888) The book of Garth and Fortingall: historical sketches relating to the districts of Garth, Fortingall, Athole and Breadalbane, Inverness
Page(s): 70-2 Held at RCAHMS D.13.22.GAR

Charlton and Mitcheson, D B and M M (1983) 'Yardhope. A shrine to Cocidius?', Britannia, vol.14
Page(s): 147

Ross, A (1967) Pagan Celtic Britain, London
Page(s): 40