Alternative Names Keanloch Beanchran, Scard Ruadh
Site type TOWNSHIP
Canmore ID 301883
Site Number NH25SW 23
NGR NH 21455 51553
Council HIGHLAND
Parish CONTIN
Former Region HIGHLAND
Former District ROSS AND CROMARTY
Former County ROSS AND CROMARTY

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Archaeological Notes

Site of Keanloch Beanchran township at the west end of Loch Beannacharain). The core of the original township is now occupied by Scardroy Lodge and its policies. The remains of only 3 buildings, a corn drying kiln and several pits are now visible.

Much of the surrounding land is now improved pasture and is predominantly marshy. The features are located around two prominent knolls on the valley floor. The upper township is situated 500m to the NW and was originally recorded by as a part of the RCAHMS FESP.

The structures recorded in the lower township were probably part of the original township of Keanloch Beanchran (marked on estate plan of 1825) which was later replaced by Scardroy Lodge. The upper township is on extremely marginal land and the farms here may have been established as a result of clearance from the original township of Keannloch Beachrain

The remains of a kilnbarn (Nosas Site Survey No.401 ) at NH 21455 51553 situated on the east shoulder of a prominent grassy knoll. It comprises 2 compartments on an approximately N-S axis. The sub-circular stone kiln bowl is conical 2m diameter at the top internally and a maximum of 1m deep. The barn is rectangular and defined by turf walls 0.2m high and measures 2m x 1.5m internally.

Pit (Nosas Site Survey No.650) at NH 21325 51611 on the E side of a small knoll. It is 2m in diameter and 0.5m deep.

Pit (Nosas Site Survey No.651) at NH 21498 51628 A pit on a low knoll 1.2m in diameter and 0.3m deep.

The footings of a building (Nosas Site Survey No.652)at NH 21559 51549. Situated close to the waterfall on the River Meig on a NE facing slope. It is rectangular and measures 13m overall a NE-SW axis and has 2 compartments. The main compartment is 6m x3 m internally and the smaller compartment is 4m x 2m but no evidence of any openings. The remnant walls consist mainly of turf, the majority of any stone having been robbed but with very large ones left in place. There is a prominent drainage ditch to the rear.

(Nosas Site Survey No.653) Earth bank - A low, eroded and discontinuous turf wall runs parallel to the river a few metres to the east of building 652 and continues for a short distance around the south side of the knoll.

A series of 4 pits (Nosas Site Survey No.654) in close proximity at NH 21578 51465. Located on a small area of flat ground on the W bank of the river Meig varying in size between 1.2m-1.5m diameter and 0.3m -0.4m in depth.

The well defined footings of a rectangular building (Nosas Site Survey No.655)on a NE-SW axis NW of a prominent knoll at NH21331 51560. The building is scarped into the W facing slope and measures 7m x 2.5m internally but no evidence of an entrance. The remnant walls consist mainly of turf, the majority of any stone having been robbed although some larger facing stones remain in place. May be associated with an oval pit,(Nosas Site Survey No.656) located some 2m to the N,diameter 1.5m x 0.5m deep.

The footings of a building (Nosas Site Survey No.657) at NH 21400 51709,
are situated on top of a small knoll just to the east of the main track. It is overgrown with long grass and heather but defined by a sub-rectangular hollow 0.5m deep with rounded ends and
measures 4.5m x 2m internally on a NE-SW axis with an entrance on the S side.


Information from North of Scotland Archaeology Society

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