MHG63988 - Cairn - Acharn
Summary
A possible cairn at Acharn.
Type and Period (1)
- CAIRN? (Early Bronze Age to Late Iron Age - 2400 BC? to 560 AD?)
Protected Status
- None recorded
Full Description
A possible cairn at Acharn.
Acharn was visited by Donald Gregory (then Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland) in the Summer of 1831 during a tour of part of the Hebrides, beginning in 'Argyleshire'. "At Acharn, upwards of a mile farther inland than Dalnagairn, and in a level plain of considerable extent, there is an immense collection of cairns, none of them very high, evidently pointing out the site of some great battle. I saw the remains of a very large stone coffin, in which an urn with ashes was found. This coffin was discovered in taking away the stones from one of the cairns. Many more have been found in the same way, of which no traces are left; and there is no doubt that where the cairns have not been disturbed, there must be many still remaining. Near this remarkable spot is a pretty large circle of stones of no great height. Among those with whom I conversed I could find no tradition relative to the collection of cairns at Acharn." <1>
It is not clear, however, in which of the cairns the "very large stone coffin" and cremation urn referred to above had been found [IS-L 05/03/2025].
A small cairn ('D') was noted by I Thornber in 1974 to lie 57.91m to the south of Cairn 'A' (see MHG496). It measured 3.66m in diameter and 0.61m in height. <2>
Sources/Archives (2)
- <1> SHG1231 Text/Publication/Article: Gregory, D.. 1857. Notes regarding various remains of antiquity, both of the earlier and middle ages, observed during a recent visit to the Hebrides (Archaeol Scot Vol. 4 1857, p.362-5). Archaeology Scotica Vol. 4. 362-5.
- <2> SHG90 Text/Publication/Article: Thornber, I. 1974. 'Acharn, cairn, flint/scraper, cairn, cairns', Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 1974, p.19-20. Discovery and Excavation in Scotland. 19-20. 20 (cairns). XY
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NM 6979 5050 (13m by 13m) (2 map features) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NM65SE |
| Civil Parish | MORVERN |
| Geographical Area | LOCHABER |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Investigations/Events (0)
External Links (0)
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