Carn na Mairg (Carn Merk)

  • ND1322151001
Nearest town:
Thurso (17km NNW)
OS reference:
ND1322151001
OS sheets:
11, 12
Latitude:
58° 26' 20.19 N
Longitude:
3° 29' 11.61 W
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Images

Image of Carn na Mairg (Carn Merk) by LesHamilton

Cairn na Mairg, as seen on approach from Westerdale to its north.

Image credit: Les Hamilton
LesHamilton
LesHamilton Jul 7, 2019
Image of Carn na Mairg (Carn Merk) by LesHamilton

A thick growth of nettles all but obscures the entrance passage to Cairn na Mairg.

Image credit: Les Hamilton
LesHamilton
LesHamilton Jul 7, 2019
Image of Carn na Mairg (Carn Merk) by LesHamilton

The entranceway at Carn na Mairg, thickly obscured by nettles.

Image credit: Les Hamilton
LesHamilton
LesHamilton Jul 7, 2019

Articles

Carn na Mairg (Carn Merk)

LesHamilton
LesHamilton Jul 7, 2019

Visited: June 20, 2019

Carn na Mairg stands on the east bank of the River Thurso, just under a kilometre south from Westerdale. There is an excellent access path which starts 80 metres east of the bridge over the river Thurso. A new dwelling, painted blue-green, stands on your left as you walk across a concrete area to a tall fence. Pass through the gate in this fence and follow the path to the broch. The walking is excellent and the broch soon comes into view.

Carn na Mairg is a grassy mound standing at the very edge of the river. On its eastern flank, a large area of the broch wall is internittently exposed to a height of some fifteen or so courses. There is a well built entrance portal and passage on the southeast, though it was badly overgrown by nettles and on the east are the remains of defensive outworks.

But there is little to see of the interior of the broch, which is almost totally infilled. The only feature is a short section of a mural gallery which is exposed to show the neat walling courses on its inner side.

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