Crannógs on the island of Coll
The Crannógs on Coll Island were studied by Mark Holley in the 1990s. A total of nine Crannógs are known on Coll today, two more places are possibly Crannógs. In 1903 Erskine Beveridge (1851–1920) counted 14 of these artificial islands, a considerable number for the small Hebridean island in Scotland .
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Almost all Crannógs are oval and have a diameter between 15.5 by 16 m and 28 by 35 m. Most of them are covered in mud and peat. According to tradition, almost all of them were connected to the mainland by dams. However, the investigation found that there were actually only six of them. Those in the Lochs (lakes) Cinneachan, Anlaimh, An Duin, and Cliad had bends, making submerged lines more difficult to see. Defensive functions are a link between Scottish crannógs. The dam to the putative crannóg of Bally Hough has three gaps that may have served the same function.
The investigation revealed several idiosyncrasies that had not previously been identified, including a millstone . The presence of this artifact suggests that at least parts of Coll were arable land 3000 years ago. A connection to agriculture is also indicated by the location of the Crannógs. Over 75% lie in valleys that show traces of agricultural use. This context is evident on Mull and Tiree and in Loch Awe in Argyll and Bute on the mainland.
Sections previously covered by peat have been discovered at the Loch Urbhaig and Loch Fada facilities. The bases of sub-rectangular buildings have been recognized in Loch Cliad and Loch Cinneachan.
Crannógs on Coll
- Bally Hough, (possible crannog)
- Breachacha,
- Dun Anlaimh, in Loch Cinneachan
- Eilean Anlaimh, in Loch Anlaimh
- Hole to Duin,
- Loch Cliad, No. 1
- Loch Cliad, No. 2
- Loch Cliad, No. 3 (possible crannog)
- Loch Fada,
- Loch na Cloiche,
- Loch Urbhaig,
literature
- Erskine Beveridge: Coll & Tiree, Prehistoric Forts and Antiques. Edinburgh, T&A Constable.
RCAHMS 1980 Argyll: 3 Mull, Tiree, Coll & Northern Argyll. Edinburgh: HMSO.