Achkinloch

Nearest town:
Wick (19km ENE)
OS reference:
ND18874172
OS sheets:
11, 12
Latitude:
58° 21' 23.74 N
Longitude:
3° 23' 11.58 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Achkinloch (Chambered Cairn) by markj99

Achavanich Chambered Cairn viewed from S. (05.09.21)

Image credit: Mark Johnstone
markj99
markj99 May 17, 2024
Image of Achkinloch (Chambered Cairn) by markj99

Chamber of Achavanich Chambered Cairn viewed from S. (05.09.21)

Image credit: Mark Johnstone
markj99
markj99 May 17, 2024
Image of Achkinloch (Chambered Cairn) by markj99

Chamber of Achavanich Chambered Cairn viewed from E. (05.09.21)

Image credit: Mark Johnstone
markj99
markj99 May 17, 2024
Image of Achkinloch (Chambered Cairn) by Ravenfeather

Photo taken 12th April 2013. The chamber of Achkinloch, looking back to the stones of Achavanich, in their great ‘U’ shaped setting on the shore of Loch Stemster.

Image credit: Paul Kesterton
Ravenfeather
Ravenfeather Apr 28, 2013
Image of Achkinloch (Chambered Cairn) by Ravenfeather

Photo taken 12th April 2013. Looking down the possible eastern entranceway, now collapsed, of the Achkinloch chambered cairn.

Image credit: Paul Kesterton
Ravenfeather
Ravenfeather Apr 28, 2013
Image of Achkinloch (Chambered Cairn) by Ravenfeather

Taken 12th April 2013. Achkniloch cairn, looking back toward the waters of Loch Stemster.

Image credit: Paul Kesterton
Ravenfeather
Ravenfeather Apr 28, 2013

Articles

Achkinloch

C
CARL Aug 15, 2014

Visited 24.7.14

Access to Achkinloch is via a short walk from the Great U and through a kissing gate.

Even though the weather had been hot and dry for days the ground was spongy. I imagine that in wet weather it would be very bogy underfoot.

If for no other reason it is worth visiting the chambered cairn as it is a good place to view the Great U.

The standing stone at the cairn is about 1m high.

Achkinloch

Ravenfeather
Ravenfeather Apr 28, 2013

Visited 12th April 2013

What a difference from my first visit here ten years ago. Then I had to climb a rickety fence and wade ankle deep through bog, all the while being battered by the wind with stinging freezing rain hammering me in the face.

Today things are much more civilised. The weather is positively warm for the northerly latitude, and a nice new gate from Achavanich accesses the field, the cairn being easily visible on higher ground to the east of the great ‘U’ of Stemster. The route to the cairn is still marshy, a drainage stream cuts the cairn off from the Achavanich stones, but a wooden plank has been placed across it to allow access. It is so damp at the moment though that the plank threatens to be swamped, and I carefully pick my way across it, with arms extended for balance, feeling very Tomb Raider.

Keeping my feet dry I arrive at the cairn, which affords a fantastic view across the stone setting to Loch Stemster, while if you turn to your left mountains dominate the distant horizon, today snow capped and lovely.

The cairn must once have been huge, for it is still a fair size although denuded in size, and 1,000 years older than the stones it overlooks. It is possible to make out what looks to once have been an entrance passage, though now collapsed in on itself, and the central chamber still forms a fine cist.

Now that access is easier make sure not to leave out Achkinloch on a visit to Achavanich, just make sure you bring some waterproof shoes!

Sites within 20km of Achkinloch

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