A low stony island in Loch Migdale may preserve waterlogged timbers and organic remains from a defended dwelling and its later reuse.
Quick facts
- Date
- Probably later prehistoric; later reuse possible
- Architect / designer
- Unknown
- Type
- Artificial or enlarged island settlement
- Designation
- Scheduled monument (SM10917)
- OS grid reference
- NH 62596 91589
Architecture, archaeology and continuing use
The crannog is a mound of stones about twenty metres across, normally rising only a few tenths of a metre above the water. It sits partly on a natural shallowing near the western shore. Official scheduling found no visible causeway, while later underwater work reported evidence for one below water.
Its story
The monument is probably later prehistoric, though reuse into medieval or post-medieval times is possible. A tradition places occupation as late as 1630. Underwater investigation in 2003 recovered structural evidence and confirmed the artificial-island character.
Why it is included
Scheduling recognises a strong field example with exceptional potential for waterlogged evidence about construction, economy and long-term occupation.
What to notice
- A low stony profile changing with the water level.
- The shallow loch bed between island and shore.
- How the site controls views and movement near the loch’s western end.
Reading the surroundings
Do not wade, swim, boat onto or disturb the crannog. Water depth, cold, submerged material and protected deposits make unsupervised approach unsafe and damaging.
Timeline
- Later prehistory (probable) People created or enlarged an island for settlement.
- Until 1630 (tradition) Later memory associated the islet with prolonged occupation.
- 2003 Underwater excavation examined timbers and a possible submerged causeway.
- 2004 The nationally important loch-bed context received scheduling.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
The first construction date and the 1630 tradition remain unproven; accounts differ over whether a causeway is visible or survives underwater.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Loch Migdale Crannog, SM10917 — Designation status, mapped location, date, fabric and architectural or archaeological interest.
- Highland HER: Loch Migdale Crannog — Field observations, underwater investigation and recorded occupation tradition.
Location
OS grid reference NH 62596 91589 · Location confidence: High: the national designation supplies an official mapped National Grid Reference; an additional source confirms the Place relationship, history or current identity. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
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