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MHG66250 - Burial cairn - Lamigo

Summary

There is a strong possibility that this represents a large funerary monument.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

A rapid coastal zone assessment survey was conducted by GUARD in the Autumn of 1997 commissioned by Historic Scotland from the Viking and Early Settlement Archaeological Research Project based at the University of Glasgow.

On a level, grassed field in Lamigo, at the top of a break-of-slope that leads to the coast over 100 m away is a large cairn. This measures 30 m N-S by 20 m wide and is well over 2 m high. It is difficult to ascertain the true height of the cairn as the northend rests on the edge of a slope and has a considerably longer drop from top to bottom than the south end. The north part of this mound is at least partially natural outcrop which can be seen through the turf-cover. The outcrop seems to have been augmented by dumps of stone. There is a section dug from the turf on the south side, which the local landowner explained had been carried out by himself in an attempt to discover what the mound consisted of. The stones exposed are between 0.1-0,4 m wide and are in a soil matrix. The turf-and-topsoil cover is 0.1 m thick. There is a faint suggestion that the south side has a stone facing, which has been disturbed by the recent excavation. Two further holes have been excavated on top of the south half of the cairn. These reveal a similar make-up to that just described. The cairn is oval in plan with steep sides and a gently-sloping top. This feature does not appear to be a glacial deposit and, as it dominates the field in which it lies, is unlikely to represent clearance. There is a strong possibility that this represents a large funerary monument. The site is under no direct threat, other than from any continued investigations by the landowner. <1>

NGR adjusted based on 2023 vertical aerial photographs. <2>

Note; The site is difficult to identiy on he Aps so position is approximate. TB 31/8/26

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Grid reference	Centred NC 6527 6329 (36m by 36m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NC66SE
Geographical Area	SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish	TONGUE

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Related Investigations/Events (1)

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