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Achnasoul is a medieval earthwork situated in Ross-shire, some 440 metres south-south-east of the settlement it once served. The monument occupies ground underlain by Lower Old Red Sandstone of Early Devonian age, a bedrock of conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone and mudstone that would have influenced both the character of the surrounding landscape and the availability of building stone in the medieval period.
The earthwork survives as an upstanding earthen structure, testament to the engineering practices of medieval Scotland. Such fortified or administrative earthworks were typically constructed to serve local lords as strongholds, administrative centres or markers of territorial authority during the medieval centuries. The site's landscape position reflects careful siting relative to local routes and resources, common practice among medieval landowners establishing their presence in the Highlands.
The monument is protected by Historic Environment Scotland under the designation SM13629, ensuring its preservation for future study. The survival of the earthwork affords opportunity for understanding medieval settlement and land use in the region, contributing to knowledge of how communities in Ross-shire organised themselves during the medieval period.
Achnasoul, medieval earthwork 440m SSE of is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM13629. View the official record →
Achnasoul is a medieval earthwork situated in Ross-shire, some 440 metres south-south-east of the settlement it once served. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM13629.
Achnasoul, medieval earthwork 440m SSE of dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a medieval earthwork. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Achnasoul, medieval earthwork 440m SSE of 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 SM13629.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Dun Fhamhair,fort (4.8 km), Dun Garbhlaich,fort,Kilmorack (5.7 km), Dun a Chliabhain,fort (5.9 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Achnasoul, medieval earthwork 440m SSE of'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.
Achnasoul, medieval earthwork 440m SSE of stands on Lower Old Red Sandstone, bedrock that formed in the Early Devonian. The rock here is conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone and mudstone.