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Craignavar is a deserted township in Perthshire, Scotland, protected as a scheduled monument by Historic Environment Scotland. The settlement lies on bedrock of the Southern Highland Group, comprising psammite and pelite strata laid down during the Middle Cambrian period. This geology, characteristic of the Southern Highlands, has shaped both the landscape and the building materials historically available to inhabitants of the township.
Deserted townships across the Scottish Highlands represent communities that were gradually abandoned, typically between the 16th and 19th centuries, as economic and social pressures transformed rural settlement patterns. The archaeological remains at Craignavar preserve evidence of domestic organisation and land use during the period when such townships were inhabited and farmed.
The site's protection under Historic Environment Scotland legislation recognises its significance as a record of Highland settlement and subsistence practices. The physical remains visible on the ground, viewed against the underlying geology and topography of Perthshire, contribute to understanding how communities adapted to and utilised their environment. Such deserted settlements are important sources for understanding social and economic change in Scotland's rural past.
Craignavar, deserted township is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM10853. View the official record →
Craignavar is a deserted township in Perthshire, Scotland, protected as a scheduled monument by Historic Environment Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM10853.
Craignavar, deserted township 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 SM10853.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Milquhanzie Hill, fort (7 km), Stonefield, standing stone 250m SE of (7.1 km), Monzie Castle,standing stone 600m ESE of (7.4 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Craignavar, deserted township'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.
Craignavar, deserted township stands on Southern Highland Group, bedrock that formed in the Middle Cambrian. The rock here is psammite and pelite.