Lochnameal Crannog

The crannog at Lochnameal near Tobermory is unique because it is no longer surrounded by water. The loch was largely drained in the 1860s, leaving the site stranded in what is now marshy, forested ground about 650 meters east of Lochnameal Farmhouse. It survives as a grass-covered mound of boulders, roughly 14 meters long, sitting on a natural rocky spine.

Because the water is gone, this site has yielded significant archaeological finds that are usually lost. During the drainage works in the 19th century, workers discovered a stone causeway resting on oak trunks, as well as an oak dugout canoe measuring over 5 meters long. These artifacts (now lost) provided rare evidence of the maritime lifestyle of the crannog builders.

Today, visitors will find a low, mossy mound rather than a fortress. However, it offers a rare opportunity to walk up to a crannog site without a boat. It is a fascinating example of how landscape change can reveal or obscure history.

The Mists of Time: Discover Iron Age Mull and Iona