NOSAS Field Visit to Assynt: Loch Awe crannogs and more?
08 March 2026 11:30
A visit to the archaeology of Assynt, Sutherland. Led by Dave McBain of Historic Assynt.
Starting from Loch Awe (approx 2 miles west from Ledmore junction - first loch on the left). Meet at 11.30 am at the parking area opposite the quarry, which is recently resurfaced (NC 249 157). We will head down to the loch side where there is a possible crannog. Depending on water levels on the day, this is potentially wade-able. Moving around to the left we come to another 2 island sites which are both intriguing - the first HES have designated as a dun - possibly an island chambered cairn and the second a possible medieval crannog.
Then heading back down the Loch will come to a 3rd crannog, before heading back up to and across the road - up the side of the quarry (if there is anyone interested in fossils, ammonites have been regular finds here) and up to one of a series of large sheep stells from the post clearances. These are intriguing, not in their existence, but that there so many running in a line of them running from the bone caves up to Oykel.
Will see how time goes from there - option to pop down to the bone caves and look at the archaeology around the car park (mill, stell, fank, sheilings, walls). Or up to Lyne and pop up to mills, a possible roundhouse and a stell that might have an older history and quarry depending on whether permissions can be obtained (Lyne has very limited parking!)
If interested please sign up by emailing James McComas - james@comacodirect.com. There will be the option to meet in Ullapool at 10.45am to amalgamate into as few vehicles as possible.
