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MHG54628 - Dyke - Allt An Achaidh Mhoir

Summary

Boundary wall/head dyke, Allt An Achaidh Mhoir

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

Full Description

In 2009 Forestry Commission Scotland commissioned C Shepherd to undertake a survey and assessment of those parts of the 18th century Military Road network crossing the National Forest Estate in Inverness, Ross & Skye, Lochaber and North Highland Forest Districts. During the survey of Contin, a curvilinear dyke was recorded, which appeared to go around the hill. A possible clearance cairn between the dyke and the ford was also noted. Both features suggest a pre-improvement date. <1>

Between May and August 2012, a survey was undertaken by the North of Scotland Archaeological Society (NoSAS) to identify, survey, and record the archaeological remains at Achadh Mor, Loch Garve. Site 17: Enclosure/Wall. The remnants of a stone wall c100m in length which crosses the burn and at NH 42271 59863 forms 3 sides of a small enclosure 10m in length, here the wall is 0.6m high x 1m thick. This feature may be the site recorded as a dyke by C Shepherd in 2009. <2>

Site 32B; Boundary wall/Head dyke. (west end/junction with military road). This substantial wall in the lower/SE part of the area is on the lower/south side of a track (site 32A) which is probably an early variation of the Caulfield road (there is a further intermittent wall on the north side of the track). Wall 32B possibly continues on the east side of the burn where it swings round a knoll (site 31) centred on NH 42339 59904, making a roughly circular enclosure, c65m in diameter. The wall here is substantial in places and up to 0.7m high. On top of the knoll there is a “dished” area c9m diameter of unknown purpose. The wall continues NE towards the head dyke (site 45) c100m away but disappears into a marsh. <2>

NOTE: The southern end of Site 32B (the part which runs around the knoll) is shown on the plan in <2> as Site 17 - see MHG62462 for the northern portion [IS-L 30/05/2025].

Some of the feature is visible in SEPA LiDAR data. <3>

Sources/Archives (3)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NH 4228 5989 (158m by 143m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NH45NW
Geographical Area	ROSS AND CROMARTY
Civil Parish	FODDERTY

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Related Investigations/Events (2)

External Links (1)