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MHG14287 - Midden, Balnapaling

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Area: NH799 690. Kitchen midden discovered in June, 1886 by Prof. Duns. 'The position of the heap faces SSW and is not far from the bottom of the… incline which stretches from the farm of Castle Craig (Dunskeath) to the wide area of undulating sand heaps which lie behind the Nigg and Cromarty Ferry Inn'. In addition to shellfish remains, the midden contained bones of mamals, birds and fish, including those of roe and red deer.
Duns, Prof. DD: 1887: Proc. Soc. Ant. Scot. 21 pp.165-9

A shell mound was discovered prior to 1863 near the ferry at Nigg, opposite Cromarty. It was several feet above the sae and from it the ground slopes steeply upward. The shells were covered with 2-4ft (0.6-1.2m) of sand and stones. In addition to the shells (mainly winkles and oysters) a few fragments of bone and an ox tooth were found. The Rev. George Gordon, visiting the site, came across the end of a double fine tooth comb (unornamented), but no other implements have been discovered. The site was visited by Lubboch c.1863.
Lubboch, John: 1863: The Natural History Review: p.3

It is uncertain whether Duns and Lubbock are referring to the same midden. There is no trace of a midden in this area of sand dunes, but according to Mr Fraser, Balnabruaich, Nigg, a shell midden was discovered by him during the First World War at approximately NH801 692. This could be the midden described by Duns.

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Location

Grid reference	Centred NH 7990 6899 (14m by 14m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NH76NE
Geographical Area	ROSS AND CROMARTY
Civil Parish	NIGG

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