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Latitude: 56.6916 / 56°41'29"N
Longitude: -5.1835 / 5°11'0"W
OS Eastings: 205144
OS Northings: 760070
OS Grid: NN051600
Mapcode National: GBR FCL1.0FR
Mapcode Global: WH1GH.B2XG
Entry Name: Rubha Mor, cairn, North Ballachulish
Scheduled Date: 20 July 1973
Last Amended: 7 June 2004
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Source ID: SM3289
Schedule Class: Cultural
Category: Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain)
Location: Ardgour
County: Highland
Electoral Ward: Fort William and Ardnamurchan
Traditional County: Inverness-shire
The monument comprises a large oval pile of stones located in grazed grassland at 10m OD, 110m N of Loch Linnhe. It is partly covered by turf and has a number of mature trees growing around the edges. The monument was first scheduled in 1973 but an inadequate area was included to protect all the archaeological remains: the present scheduling rectifies this.
The monument is oval on plan measuring c24m NW-SE by c20m transversely, and c2m in height. It is built of bare stones and boulders with no kerb or internal features visible, although its full extent is greatly confused by plough damage and vegetation cover. There are four notable depressions in the monument, varying from 2-8m in diameter, and some stones would seem to have been added to the cairn as part of field clearances. A field boundary is built across the northern part of the cairn running E-W.
The area to be scheduled is a rectangle 45m N-S by 35m transversely. This area includes the remains discussed and an area within which evidence for the construction and use of the monument is likely to survive, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
The monument is of national importance as the remains of a substantial prehistoric cairn. Although in superficially poor condition it has the potential to provide important information on the ritual practices of the period. Its importance is increased by its close proximity to a number of contemporary monuments and findspots.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Bibliography
The cairn is recorded by RCAHMS as NN06SE 7.
References:
Christison D 1891, 'Excavation of the fort 'Suidhe Chennaidh', Loch Awe: and description of some Argyleshire cairns', PROC SOC ANTIQ SCOT 25, 130.
Christison D 1881, 'On ancient wooden image, found in November last at Ballachulish Peat-Moss', PROC SOC ANTIQ SCOT 15, 161.
Stewart J 1888, 'The Ballachulish goddess' TRANS INVERNESS SCI SOC FLD CLUB Vol. 2, 25.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
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