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Staffin House Shell Midden, located 1050 metres north-north-east of Staffin House in Inverness-shire, is a shell midden of prehistoric date. Shell middens represent the accumulated food waste from human occupation, comprising discarded shells from shellfish gathering. These sites indicate sustained coastal exploitation and are valuable sources of evidence for understanding subsistence practices in early Scottish communities.
The midden sits upon bedrock formed from an unnamed Palaeogene mafic igneous intrusion, part of the geological legacy of intense volcanic activity that characterised the region during the early Tertiary period. This basaltic foundation reflects the dramatic geological history of northern Scotland and influences the character of the surrounding landscape.
The site is protected by Historic Environment Scotland as a scheduled monument under reference SM7848, recognising its archaeological significance. Shell middens of this type often contain assemblages of marine shells alongside evidence of other foodstuffs and cultural material, preserving evidence of the diet and settlement patterns of prehistoric populations. The midden's survival and scheduled status ensure its protection for future archaeological research and understanding.
Staffin House, shell midden 1050m NNE of is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM7848. View the official record →
Staffin House Shell Midden, located 1050 metres north-north-east of Staffin House in Inverness-shire, is a shell midden of prehistoric date. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM7848.
Staffin House, shell midden 1050m NNE of 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 SM7848.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Carn Ban,cairn 350m E of Staffin Lodge,Kilmuir (0.4 km), Garafad,depopulated settlement,Kilmuir (0.7 km), Garafad,chambered cairn 100m W of Cadha Riach (1 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Staffin House, shell midden 1050m NNE of'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.
Staffin House, shell midden 1050m NNE of stands on Unnamed Igneous Intrusion, Palaeogene, bedrock that formed in the Paleogene. The rock here is mafic igneous-rock.