Fairy fort / stone ringfort in Carran

On a rise sloping gently in all directions except to the SW, in an area of hazel and scrub with a gryke (Wth c. 10m; D c. 1-2m) extending N-S immediately to the W. Hachured on the 1842 and 1920 eds. of the OS 6-inch map. This subcircular cashel (ext. dims. 29.6m N-S; 27.15m E-W) was constructed of a double-faced stone wall (Wth at E 1.6m) that subsequently collapsed resulting in the present extensive stone spread (Wth 5.5-7m; int. H c. 0.4-0.5m; ext. H 1-1.6m) that defines it. The outer wall-face, which was probably rebuilt, is clearly visible from SSW to SW and from W to NNW, with short sections at NNE, NE and E. The inner wall-face survives at E. A lintelled entranceway (Wth 1.15m) at S had collapsed by the 1930s when noted by Wallace (1933, 248). The interior rises to a stony circular mound (diam. 8-10.4m; H 1.3m) at N, on top of which there is a modern ring of loose stones that may be the ‘hut sites’ referred to by Wallace (ibid.). Just to the SE of the mound there is a possible Man-made underground passage (CL009-106004-). An old wall runs from it to the wall spread. Another cashel (CL009-106001-) lies c. 30m to the W. Compiled by: Olive Alcock and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 10 June 2022