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Loch Ochiltree crannogs is a pair of Iron Age to medieval artificial islands situated in Wigtownshire, southwest Scotland. Crannogs were timber-built dwellings constructed on freshwater lochs, serving as defended settlements for elite families or as refuge during periods of conflict. The structures at Loch Ochiltree represent a building tradition that persisted for over two thousand years across Scotland, with these examples showing occupation spanning from the Iron Age through the medieval period.
The loch bed rests upon Kirkcolm Formation wacke, a coarse sedimentary bedrock laid down during the Ordovician Caradocian period. This solid foundation provided stable ground for the crannog builders, whilst the surrounding water offered natural protection. The site lies within a landscape shaped by ancient geology, typical of Wigtownshire's rolling terrain.
The crannogs are protected as a scheduled monument under Historic Environment Scotland reference SM2266, reflecting their archaeological importance as evidence of sustained settlement patterns and building technology in southwest Scotland. The remains offer insight into domestic life and defensive strategies across an extended historical period, and contribute to understanding how communities adapted to and exploited their freshwater resources during multiple cultural phases.
Loch Ochiltree,crannogs is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM2266. View the official record →
Loch Ochiltree crannogs is a pair of Iron Age to medieval artificial islands situated in Wigtownshire, southwest Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM2266.
Loch Ochiltree,crannogs dates from the iron age–medieval period, and is classified as a crannogs. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Loch Ochiltree,crannogs 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 SM2266.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Deil's Dike,linear earthwork,Hill of Ochiltree (1.2 km), Loch Maberry Castle,crannog (3.2 km), Middle Bridge of Cree,cairn 110m WNW of (3.9 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Loch Ochiltree,crannogs'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 Ochiltree,crannogs stands on Kirkcolm Formation, bedrock that formed in the Caradocian. The rock here is wacke.