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MHG64162 - Wall - Meall a'Choire

Summary

Its sometimes very ruinous condition and the fact that it seems to predate an area of peat-cutting suggest that it is unlikely to be a recent (i.e. 18th / 19th century) estate wall, and may be prehistoric or mediaeval.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

A walkover survey was carried out by Cannich Archaeological Services in 1999 of parts of the RSPB reserve at Corrimony prior to tree-planting.

Section 5, Site 19: Wall. Its easterly end is on the flat ground on the edge of the scarp above the river, just outside the eastern boundary fence of the reserve. It runs for over 1 km westwards and uphill through section 6, crossing and recrossing the electric fence in the area east of the road, crossing the road at NH 3639 2817, and continuing uphill west of the road to turn northwestwards and cross the fence dividing section 6 from section 2. (The map shows it continuing further for over 1 km through sections 2 and 7). It is shown on the OS map, but it is by no means equally clear or substantial throughout its length. East of the road, its stones have a covering of heather, and it is 2 m to 3 m wide and 30 cm to 40 cm high.

Immediately west of the road, the vegetation cover is bracken and grass, and the wall is 1.5 m wide and up to 50 cm high. There are a number of gaps, and the wall almost disappears in a very wet area, where a peat bank follows the line of it, but it becomes clear again at NH 3614 2816, with a maximum height of 50 cm and a cover of heather.
The most westerly stretch, before it leaves section 6, is again less easy to see, consisting of a slight rise in the heather, with bog on either side; there are now no stones visible, although they can be felt below the heather, and the wall is spread to between 2 m and 3 min width. It is not possible to give definite date for this wall, but its sometimes very ruinous condition and the fact that it seems to predate an area of peat-cutting suggest that it is unlikely to be a recent (i.e. 18th / 19th century) estate wall, and may be prehistoric or mediaeval. <1>

Ordnance Survey Mastermap <2>

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NH 3616 2821 (1179m by 154m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NH32NE
Civil Parish	URQUHART AND GLENMORISTON
Geographical Area	INVERNESS

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Related Investigations/Events (1)

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