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Achanarras hut circle is a prehistoric domestic structure located in Caithness in the far north of Scotland. The monument comprises a circular or sub-circular stone-built dwelling, typical of Bronze Age settlement in the Highlands. The hut circle sits upon bedrock of Middle Old Red Sandstone, a conglomerate and sandstone formation of Middle Devonian age that shapes much of the local landscape. This geology would have provided building stone and has influenced the character of settlement in the region for millennia.
The site lies within an area rich in archaeological remains from prehistory onwards, reflecting the long human occupation of Caithness. The open moorland setting would have offered grazing for livestock and access to upland resources, typical of the location choices for such dwellings. The rough stone walls, now often turf-covered, follow the bedrock contours where they remain visible.
The hut circle is protected by Historic Environment Scotland as a Scheduled Monument under reference SM2402, recognising its archaeological significance and the evidence it preserves of early settlement patterns in northern Scotland.
Achanarras,hut circle is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM2402. View the official record →
Achanarras hut circle is a prehistoric domestic structure located in Caithness in the far north of Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM2402.
Achanarras,hut circle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM2402.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Cnoc Donn, broch 600m ESE of Dale Farm, Halkirk (2.6 km), Dale Farm,broch 800m SE of (2.8 km), Ballone,broch 360m NE of,Spittal (3.3 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Achanarras,hut circle's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Achanarras,hut circle stands on Middle Old Red Sandstone (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Middle Devonian. The rock here is conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone and mudstone.