Scheduled MonumentsScotlandCracknie,souterrain and settlement
Iron Age · Souterrain and settlement

Cracknie,souterrain and settlement

Scotland
HES SM5663
Period
Iron Age
Site type
Souterrain and settlement
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Cracknie is a souterrain and Iron Age settlement located in Sutherland in the Scottish Highlands. The site comprises an underground stone-built passage typical of Iron Age construction in northern Scotland, along with associated settlement remains. Such souterrains are thought to have served defensive, storage, or ritual functions within Iron Age communities, though their precise purpose remains debated among archaeologists. The monument represents an important example of Iron Age settlement activity in the far north of Scotland during the first millennium BC.

Cracknie,souterrain and settlement is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM5663. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Cracknie,souterrain and settlement?

Cracknie is a souterrain and Iron Age settlement located in Sutherland in the Scottish Highlands. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM5663.

What period does Cracknie,souterrain and settlement date from?

Cracknie,souterrain and settlement dates from the iron age period, and is classified as a souterrain and settlement. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Cracknie,souterrain and settlement?

Cracknie,souterrain and settlement 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 SM5663.

What other scheduled monuments are near Cracknie,souterrain and settlement?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Skail, homestead (5.9 km), Red Priest's Stone and burial ground 500m NNE of (6.2 km), Skail, chambered cairn 90m N of (6.2 km).

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