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Loch nam Bat is a still located 1790 metres north of Wester Balnagrantach in Inverness-shire, Scotland. The monument sits on bedrock of the Glenfinnan Group, Neoproterozoic psammite and pelite formations that characterise the underlying geology of this Highland landscape. Stills of this type represent illicit whisky distillation, a practice deeply embedded in Scottish rural life from the 18th century onwards, particularly in remote areas where oversight by excise authorities was difficult.
The site's isolation and natural water source would have made it suitable for whisky production, a clandestine industry that flourished throughout the Highlands during periods of heavy taxation. Such stills typically operated seasonally, leaving minimal permanent structures above ground, which explains the archaeological challenge of locating and interpreting them today.
The monument is protected by Historic Environment Scotland under the reference SM11458, recognising its significance as evidence of a widespread economic and cultural practice that shaped Highland history. Loch nam Bat contributes to understanding the geography and logistics of illicit distillation networks that operated across Inverness-shire during this period.
Loch nam Bat, still 1790m N of Wester Balnagrantach is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM11458. View the official record →
Loch nam Bat is a still located 1790 metres north of Wester Balnagrantach in Inverness-shire, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM11458.
Loch nam Bat, still 1790m N of Wester Balnagrantach 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 SM11458.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Loch nam Faoileag, hut circles 730m NNW of Wester Balnagrantach (1.1 km), Garbeg, settlement 1160m NNW of Garbeg Cottage (1.1 km), Culnakirk Burn, burnt mounds 540m NNW of Garbeg Cottage (1.8 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Loch nam Bat, still 1790m N of Wester Balnagrantach'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.
Loch nam Bat, still 1790m N of Wester Balnagrantach stands on Glenfinnan Group, bedrock that formed in the Neoproterozoic. The rock here is psammite and pelite.