Mullach an Tuir
Approaching Cannich from Beauly on the A831, the Mullach an Tuir cairn sits a short distance above the road beside the Allt Coillte burn that flows under the old bridge at Invercannich and offers views of a fine waterfall. The cairn can be approached either via a faint path on the west end of the bridge that goes up the left side of the burn (not too steep or too close to the burn!) or from the (waymarked) forest track a hundred meters further along the road.
The Neolithic period (c. 4000-2000 BC) saw the building of monuments many of which survive to this day, including earthen mounds or stone cairns. These contained burials, perhaps the bones of the ancestors, but they were also focal points for religious and social ceremonies. Some are chambered cairns, where a passage leads to a chamber inside, where bodies were buried; these often remained in use for centuries and were opened from time to time for new burials.
We may have one of these sites at Mullach an Tuir (“Top of the tower”), on the hillside above Cannich. Members of Strathglass Heritage Association have been clearing away the soil, turf and moss which have accumulated on the stones of the cairn, in an effort to identify its structure, although it is still not certain if the cairn does have an entrance passage and an inner chamber, as it has been much disturbed by forestry planting, and possibly by natural tree growth before that. Two very large stones could have been capstones of a chamber, or lintel stones of a passage.
Although the cairn has never been excavated, a pre-felling survey on behalf of Forestry Commission Scotland, was conducted by archaeologist Jonathan Wordsworh in 1995.
Quoting from his report to Historic Environment Scotland:-
“A substantial cairn, which measures 15m in diameter and stands up to 1.5m in height, is situated on the SE-facing slope of Mullach an Tuir. Collapse in the centre of the cairn has formed a 3m diameter chamber which is not defined by definite wall lines. There is a possible entrance, 1m wide, on the SE from which a drystone wall leads off to the E. Although the cairn lacks either a visible inner or outer boulder kerb and the entrance is on the SE as opposed to the a more typical SW orientation, it may possibly be of a similar nature to a Clava-type cairn.”
J Wordsworth (Wordsworth Archaeological Services) 1995
Besides the cairn Jonathan identified several structures of interest on Mullach an Tuir and made several recommendations for their preservation. Felling took place almost a decade after the survey and most recommendations appear to have been unfortunately ignored.
Some photos of members of Strathglass Heritage Association clearing moss and vegetation from the cairn in July 2019.
Site Information
SHA Site No: 3
Site Status:
Location: NH 3414 3216 Landranger OS 26
Three words: worksheet.bars.screamed
Period: Neolithic
Date: 2nd Millenium BC
Site Owner: Forestry & Land Scotland
Open: 24 Hours
Access: From forestry road follow waymarkers
Grade: Moderate
Parking: Entrance to forestry road NH 34182 32076
Notes: Can also be reached via west side of burn
Car parking is at the entrance to forest road 0.5km east of Cannich on the A831. Follow forest road to the end where waymarker leads uphill on an old track. This goes up close to the tree line before crossing a dilapidated fence (another waymarker) and heads down hill between the fence and the Allt Coillte. The cairn is just over the fence from the marker post. Ground is quite uneven. Return by same way or alternatively head down to public road via narrow steep path keeping the fence to your right and away from the burn which ends in a splendid waterfall. Join the road at west end of old bridge. Turn right along road back to car park.