© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic Environment Scotland
Tom na Croiseige is a stepped mound located in Inverness-shire, in the Scottish Highlands. The monument consists of an artificial earthwork constructed in tiers or steps, a form of settlement mound whose precise chronology and function remain subjects of archaeological study. Such mounds are found across northern Scotland and may represent structures of considerable antiquity, though their origins and use remain debated amongst scholars.
The mound sits upon bedrock composed of Lower Old Red Sandstone formed during the Early Devonian period, comprising conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone and mudstone deposits. This geological foundation would have influenced both the construction technique and the stability of the earthwork over millennia. The underlying stone geology is characteristic of the straths and glens of central Inverness-shire, where similar geological formations support much of the landscape.
Tom na Croiseige is protected as a scheduled monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM3196, recognising its significance as part of Scotland's archaeological heritage. The stepped structure survives as an important example of this monument type within the region, contributing to understanding of settlement patterns and land use in the Highlands during periods now largely known through earthwork remains.
Tom na Croiseige, stepped mound is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM3196. View the official record →
Tom na Croiseige is a stepped mound located in Inverness-shire, in the Scottish Highlands. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM3196.
Tom na Croiseige, stepped mound 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 SM3196.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Belladrum Home Farm,chambered cairn WNW of (0.4 km), Auchvaich,chambered cairn 650m W of (1.4 km), Lime kiln, 250m NE of South Clunes Farm (4.1 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Tom na Croiseige, stepped mound'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.
Tom na Croiseige, stepped mound stands on Lower Old Red Sandstone, bedrock that formed in the Early Devonian. The rock here is conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone and mudstone.