Skail

Nearest town:
Thurso (46km ENE)
OS reference:
NC713469
OS sheet:
10
Latitude:
58° 23' 30.15 N
Longitude:
4° 12' 6.76 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Skail (Chambered Cairn) by GLADMAN

Hanging out inside the chamber...... as one does.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Apr 28, 2010

Articles

Skail

postman
postman Sep 24, 2007

One of the nicest places you could ever be.
There is a site specific carpark just 20 yards up the road, over the stile the ground is a bit boggy but theres a wooden walkway leading to the information board and chamber.
Such a lovely place in the early morning sunshine lichen hanging off the nearby trees and the place giving off a really lush vibe, the chambers are well defined and the cairn is still quite substantial.
If your ever up here definately give it a visit

Folklore

Skail
Chambered Cairn
summerlands
summerlands Feb 6, 2011

From the Northern Times, Published: 25 May, 2007 (report on annual summer school of the Council for Scottish Archaeology at Bettyhill)

“at Skail, discussion centred on the denuded neolithic chamber known locally as “the Temple”, associated in folklore and possibly in reality, with Sagart Ruadh, the “Red Priest”, a Columban cleric said to have died there at the hands of a Norse warrior.”

northern-times.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/2059/Exploring_north_Sutherland_s_archaeological_heritage.html

Folklore

Skail
Chambered Cairn
Rhiannon
Rhiannon Oct 28, 2009

As Postman’s photo explains, this was said to be the cell of the Red Priest, whose Stone lies nearby. The Red Priest is supposed to be St. Maolrubha, who was busy evangelising in these parts in the 7th century. He prophesied that the population of Strathnaver would be driven from here for their sins, and would not be able to return until his bones had been washed out to sea.

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Sites within 20km of Skail

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