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Achnaclyth,settlement

A Scheduled Monument in Wick and East Caithness, Highland

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Coordinates

Latitude: 58.2838 / 58°17'1"N

Longitude: -3.5252 / 3°31'30"W

OS Eastings: 310663

OS Northings: 933809

OS Grid: ND106338

Mapcode National: GBR K6NT.XKK

Mapcode Global: WH5D2.T1JW

Entry Name: Achnaclyth,settlement

Scheduled Date: 21 October 1991

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Source ID: SM5165

Schedule Class: Cultural

Category: Secular: settlement, including deserted, depopulated and townships

Location: Latheron

County: Highland

Electoral Ward: Wick and East Caithness

Traditional County: Caithness

Description

This monument consists of an extensive group of post medieval settlements set within a series of enclosures which represent the associated fields. A charter of 1619 records 'Achinnachloy' (Achnaclyth). Roy's map of 1747-52 marks 'Achnechlich' (Achnaclyth) and 'Breachychy'; the latter probably refers to the E group of settlements covered by this scheduling proposal in the area now known

as Leathad Breac.

Seven discrete clusters of buildings lie within the area proposed for scheduling. At ND09853375 are foundations of a long house and two small buildings. At ND10353386 are the more substantial remains of two long houses and two smaller buildings. At ND10403388 is a single ruined long house with associated enclosures. Buildings at ND107340 include the

well preserved remains of two long houses, one of which appears to have been reused as a kiln barn; a third smaller building is also represented.

Just to the N of this settlement are the slight

foundations of two small rectangular buildings. At ND10853370 are a number of houses and buildings at least two of which have been incorporated into later sheep folds. To the E are two long houses, one of which appears to have been converted into a kiln barn, and a third smaller building. At ND11203355 are substantial remains of two small rectangular buildings and a free-standing kiln. Finally at ND11233360 are three buildings; a long house and two smaller houses, one of which has a kiln built externally on one long side.

The area to be scheduled measures 1660m E-W by 740m N-S.

The Achnaclyth-Loedebest road is excluded from the scheduling proposal as are the two roadside quarries. This area includes all of the post medieval settlements and the associated field systems, as shown in red on the attached map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance for its potential to contribute to an understanding of post medieval settlement and the process of the Clearance in this area of Highland Scotland. Documentary sources indicate settlement here by the early seventeenth century and some of the individual settlement areas evidently have a long and complex sequence of occupation. Settlement may even extend back into the medieval period on this site.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography
No Bibliography entries for this designation

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

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