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MHG64812 - Cist burial? - Portgower

Summary

A possible cist burial near the coast at Portgower.

Type and Period (3)

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Full Description

A possible cist burial near the coast at Portgower.

An estate map showing the pre-crofting farms or townships of Cuilgower, Wester Garty and Middle Garty in the Sutherland Estate Collections surveyed by John Kirk in 1772 and included in a survey book of farms in Golspie and Loth parishes shows a feature labelled 'Grave' close to the coast between the cliffs and the former line of the 'High Road to Caithness' at what is now Portgower. This area is shown included with the extended farm or townstead of Middle Garty. The feature itself is drawn as a 3-dimensional coffin with a lying figure clearly visible which is probably an attempt to show a body within the 'coffin'. The 'coffin' has been drawn to be mainly viewed from the long side axis and the crude figure appears to be depicted in a crouched position, so it may have been a prehistoric cist burial. It is also possible that it is a later long cist burial. The site may have been disturbed or even destroyed by the construction of the 'Duke of Sutherland's Railway' but it may still lie at this NGR between the railway and the beach. <1>

Sources/Archives (1)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred ND 0074 1322 (55m by 55m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	ND01SW
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	LOTH

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Investigations/Events (0)

External Links (1)