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Little Banchor is a depopulated settlement located in Nairnshire, approximately 1130 metres west-south-west of Banchor. The site stands on bedrock of the Moine Supergroup, ancient semipelite formed during the Neoproterozoic era, which has weathered to create the local terrain. This geological foundation reflects the challenging Highland landscape in which the settlement was established.
The abandonment of Little Banchor reflects patterns of rural depopulation that affected many Scottish settlements, particularly during periods of economic and social upheaval. The site preserves evidence of the medieval and post-medieval occupation that once sustained a community in this upland area, retaining the archaeological record of domestic life in the Highlands.
Protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM11818, Little Banchor is recognised as a site of archaeological and historical significance. The monument contributes to our understanding of settlement patterns, land use and social change in Nairnshire, offering insights into how communities adapted to and eventually abandoned life in this exposed moorland environment.
Little Banchor, depopulated settlement 1130m WSW of Banchor is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM11818. View the official record →
Little Banchor is a depopulated settlement located in Nairnshire, approximately 1130 metres west-south-west of Banchor. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM11818.
Little Banchor, depopulated settlement 1130m WSW of Banchor 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 SM11818.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Balnught, hut circle 1225m ENE of (0.9 km), Dunearn, fort 510m S of (3 km), Burnside, bridge 300m W of (4.1 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Little Banchor, depopulated settlement 1130m WSW of Banchor'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.
Little Banchor, depopulated settlement 1130m WSW of Banchor stands on Moine Supergroup, bedrock that formed in the Neoproterozoic. The rock here is semipelite.